This is a beautiful film that doesn't frame anything in black & white. Max isn't a saint in a tough situation, Pan isn't a naive fool, and he lawyer isn't awful, as he may seem at first.

Characters do manufacture self-serving justifications for their actions, but many of them are at the mercy of their circumstances.

There's not much I can say without spoiling, but this is a beauiful film that is quite dark, but with an ember of hope that some of the love we invest in others can bear fruit and make a world of despair bearable.

Klong is fantastic in this, and while his role is small, Prince is quite affecting as a young teen. Tang does a wonderful job playing Pan as a man who sees the world more clearly than it seems and soldiers on anyway.

Highly recommended, but save something fluffy to watch afterward. Try the same director's Country Boy.