aralyth’s review published on Letterboxd:
march around the world 2026 | 14/30 | 🇨🇳 China
Wow. I had a feeling this would be right up my alley, but I don't know if I was expecting to be completely spellbound start-to-finish. In Buddha Mountain, Fan Bingbing, Chen Bolin, and Fei Long play a trio of best friends who barge into the life of a retired opera singer (Sylvia Chang) when they answer her ad for tenants. All four actors were great, and I loved the dynamics between them: the younger trio in particular felt like one of the most authentic groups of friends I've seen in any film.
The central theme of the film is rebuilding, from dealing with loss and grief to literally rebuilding a demolished temple. There's a lot left unsaid here: a lot of in-between moments that are glossed over or omitted entirely, but I didn't feel that I needed them. The overall mood is lightly melancholic, with the occasional comedic segment helping to establish the characters' relationships further. There are heavier parts, too, but the film treats them with a gentleness that I loved. Definitely one of my favourite watches of 2026 so far.