Overview
A poignant tale of youthful conflict and love set against the backdrop of gang rivalry.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Brutal
- melancholic
- foreboding
- observational
- serious film night
- long arthouse viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Edward Yang's expansive, meticulously observed drama as a masterful landmark of Taiwanese New Wave cinema, praised for its visual precision, novelistic richness, and emotional power.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The 237-minute structure follows adolescents, families, gangs, schools, and political pressures across an expansive milieu.
Xiao Si'r and his peers navigate school pressures, militarized adult society, gang allegiance, and romantic uncertainty.
The film observes families recently arrived in Taiwan from mainland China and the lingering fear surrounding authoritarian rule and secret police.
The film's smoky colors, nighttime settings, and off-center compositions connect youthful passions with cosmic despair.
Films like A Brighter Summer Day, and why
Rebel Without a Cause
shared coming of age drama, youth gang conflict, nocturnal lyricism, and tragic atmosphere
The Godfather
shared sprawling crime drama, gangland milieu, family pressures, and historical social texture
A City of Sadness
shared taiwanese new wave observation, historical upheaval, intimate family drama, and restrained visual style
The 400 Blows
shared adolescent alienation, repressive social environment, and bleak romantic tragedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Edward Yang
- Release Date
- 1991-07-27
- Runtime
- 237 min
- Rating
- 8.2 / 10 (408)
Cast
- Chang Chen
- Lisa Yang
- Chang Kuo-Chu
- Elaine Jin Yan-Ling
- Wang Chuan
- Chang Han
- Chiang Hsiu-Chiung
- Stephanie Lai
- Tan Chih-Kang
- Wang Chi-tsan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- YouTube TV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A Brighter Summer Day about?
- A sprawling Taiwanese coming-of-age crime drama follows a teenager through gang rivalries, first love, and the oppressive pressures of postwar society.
- What is A Brighter Summer Day like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Brighter Summer Day as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as dense.
- Is A Brighter Summer Day violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in A Brighter Summer Day as brutal.
- What did critics think of A Brighter Summer Day?
- Critics broadly regard Edward Yang's expansive, meticulously observed drama as a masterful landmark of Taiwanese New Wave cinema, praised for its visual precision, novelistic richness, and emotional power.
- Which films are like A Brighter Summer Day?
- Films with a similar feel include Rebel Without a Cause, The Godfather, A City of Sadness, and The 400 Blows.
- How long is A Brighter Summer Day?
- A Brighter Summer Day runs 237 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Brighter Summer Day?
- In United States, A Brighter Summer Day streams on YouTube TV.
