aGLIFF Reviews

Drifting Flowers

"Love is love" is the recurring message in this delicately rendered triptych by Taiwanese filmmaker Chou. Drifting Flowers moves beyond the hearts and flowers rendition of love that is common in this part of the world to examine other facets: a child's blissful crush, the bond between sisters, the family found in friends, and finally, the love of oneself in spite of a lifetime of messages to the contrary. Many delightful performances propel this film. Chih-ying is charming as Meigo, the little girl who develops a crush on the butch lesbian who falls in love with her older sister (oh, the crushing heartache!). Yi-ching and Wang as Lily and Yen, survivors of heartbreak and in the twilight of their lives, have many visually austere scenes that are emotionally charged. While one transition is chronologically confusing, it is forgiven once Drifting Flowers is completely and lovingly unfurled.