Columbus, Indiana is primarily known for two things. On one hand, the town is decorated with breathtaking architecture, making even a regular bank or office building look like a work of modern art. On the other hand, the town is ravaged by crystal meth, with the working class community consisting of many addicts.
Columbus, the directorial debut of video essayist Kogonada, explores both aspects of this town with beautiful, often heartbreaking, honesty, making for one of the most rewarding film experiences of 2017.
Taking a break from blockbuster franchises and stoner comedies, John Cho stars as Jin, a Korean-born translator who arrives in the titular town after learning that his father, a well-respected architect, is in a coma. Meanwhile, Haley Lu Richardson plays Casey, a young woman who decides to pass up her dream of attending college and becoming an architect to watch over her mother (Michelle Forbes), a recovering meth addict.
As Jin contemplates his damaged relationship with his father, and Casey begins to suspect that her mother is using again, the two cross paths and develop a friendship that will allow them to sort out their complicated emotions and, possibly, change their unsatisfying lives for the better.
Columbus takes a page from Lost in Translation and the Before Sunrise trilogy in that it mainly consists of extended conversations shared between the two main characters. There aren’t any melodramatic plot twists or shocking third act revelations, and any sexual tension between its two leads is left as subtext – in fact, it’s actually debatable if there even is a romantic undercurrent to their relationship. Instead, Columbus uses their friendship as a means to explore the way we can, somehow, feel more comfortable being our true selves with strangers and how, occasionally, a seemingly insignificant meeting between two people can change someone’s life, for better or worse.
As the film quietly creeps along, Columbus’ stark realism becomes easy to connect to and, as the film explores our complicated relationships with family, the comforts that come from our hometowns, and the need to grow as an individual, audiences can easily find themselves in the characters and connect with the story on a personal level. So, when this quiet film reaches its end, it packs an emotional wallop that feels fully earned.
Much of the film’s success can be traced back to its two leads. John Cho delivers a soulful, nuanced performance as Jin, a deceptively challenging role. Jin is a deeply repressed man who is not sure how to process his feelings for his father and, even as he opens himself up to Casey, still holds back from revealing his true colors. Cho does a great job at playing the version of Jin that we see on the surface, but he is also tasked with letting the audiences peek past his character’s defenses and understand how he truly feels about his present situation. Cho expresses so much emotion with just body language and facial expressions, and delivers any emotional confessions with aplomb, and without ever taking on a theatrical tone.
The true revelation here is Haley Lu Richardson. Emerging as one of the best actresses of her peer group, the 22-year-old (best known for a supporting role in Split) is an absolutely compelling actress who can break your heart with just a glance, and delivers one of the film’s only monologues with such sincerity that her performance feels almost uncomfortably realistic. As a pair, the two are compelling, and the film features some strong supporting performances as well, including a hilarious supporting turn by Rory Culkin as Casey’s coworker who is interested in dating her.
Thanks to some stunning cinematography from Elisha Christian, Columbus is a gorgeous looking film, with the town’s famously unorthodox architecture being showcased in a stunning fashion. But, with Kogonada’s great direction and a pair of strong performances, Columbus is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the surface. This is a rare film that somehow feels both deeply personal but also universal. Its realism and refreshing honesty make for a bittersweet, but hugely satisfying experience, that stands out as one of the best films of 2017 so far.
Unfortunately, after playing on the film festival circuit, Columbus will receive a very small release, only playing in a handful of theaters in NY and LA. Please support independent film and seek it out on video streaming services over the next few months – it should be available to rent on sites like iTunes and Amazon in the fall, and is well worth your time and money. Columbus will stick with you long after the credits roll, no matter where you watch it.
