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Columbus

Play trailer 2:05 Poster for Columbus Released Aug 4, 2017 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 134 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When a renowned architecture scholar falls suddenly ill during a speaking tour, his son Jin finds himself stranded in Columbus, Ind., a small Midwestern city celebrated for its many significant modernist buildings. Jin strikes up a friendship with Casey, a young architecture enthusiast who works at the local library. As their intimacy develops, Jin and Casey explore both the town and their own conflicted emotions.
Columbus

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Wonderfully acted and artfully composed, Columbus balances the clean lines of architecture against the messiness of love, with tenderly moving results.

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Critics Reviews

View All (134) Critics Reviews
Hannah Strong Little White Lies Imperfect, but more than enough to put Kogonada on the map. Rated: 3/5 Oct 8, 2018 Full Review Wendy Ide Observer (UK) In its precision - the framing of each shot is as eloquent as the dialogue - and measured pacing, Columbus is a balm, a deep tissue massage for the soul. Rated: 4/5 Oct 7, 2018 Full Review Ben Nicholson Sight & Sound From all the formal elegance there emerges something subtly but profoundly affecting about family and friendship. Oct 5, 2018 Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film Modernity itself is what architecture is meant to reflect, only to been seen as the film's biggest irony with two characters who refuse to let themselves progress forward...it's a complete and wonderful arc, made by a wonderful architect. Rated: A Jul 2, 2024 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine Columbus mostly seems like a movie that doesn’t want to disturb anyone, which is counterproductive when you’ve got characters wrestling with increasingly obvious, quite serious emotional problems related to damage done by their parents. Jan 12, 2023 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies But the most potent ingredients are the two lead performances. Cho is a natural at subtlety – somber, reserved and authentic at every turn. But it’s Richardson who steps out as a true revelation. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 19, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (176) audience reviews
Thomas S That movie really reminded me of "Patterson" with its contemplative shots and slow-burn rhythm. I love the fact it changed a bit the way I approach architecture. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Olivia D Sometimes I watch bad movies because I find them funny for being so terrible. This movie was soooo slow and boring that it didn't even fill that criteria. There is no deep meaning to this movie. All of the characters are unbearable. I felt like I was being dragged through broken glass while watching this. I normally would not give such a poor rating, but a 96% is truly not representative of what this movie deserves. More like negative 96. its insane they used the backdrop of such an amazing place, which i never knew of and would LOVE to visit, but the script is just AWFUL. Like, AWFUL. everything is great except for the movie. its not like the 'deeper' meaning even went over my head. just how everyone talks is ust how some movie nerd loser thinks people talk. AND THEY DONT. cuz they never leave the house. and whats with the cigarettes? like why is this guy trying to make it a french film by being boring and deep and cigaretted but to like an extreme level. it feels like a parody. is this review a social experiment? because honestly who the hell gave in 96. like even if they wrote it WELL and performed it WELL (i feel like the actors were struggling, im sure theyre very talented, despite these limiting constraints) it still isnt even a 96 percent level concept. like? yall r losers. get a life. amen. merry christmas. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/25/24 Full Review Richard B Slow burn mumblecore movie about finding inspiration through the creativity of others. The vocation of choice in this one is architecture, which is filmed beautifully. The constructions are therapeutic in that they give space, light, and transparency for the characters to reflect on important choices in their lives. One character put their love into architecture to the point of neglecting an important relationship, but the remaining characters learn from that mistake and provide understanding and validation for each other so they can all move in more authentic directions. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/15/24 Full Review Nick L An emotionally powerful piece of art. Makes you cry all the time. Visually stunning set pieces and scenery. Smart screenplay with originality. Outstanding performances. Beautiful cinematography and editing. Flawless. A must-see for anyone in need of understanding. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/05/24 Full Review Jonathan K A meditative vibe and understated narrative, I'm left a little bit wondering what the point of telling this story was. The script sometimes jumps forward in time more than one might expect, making it a little difficult to know exactly where the thread is in the last third. I think if I try to pull some purpose from the film, it's trying to show what it looks like to grow and move on from your past and current relationship with or toward your parents, and into a new healthier exploration of that dynamic. On a stylistic level, there are some very cool camera shots, building on the architecture motif/through-line in the movie. And Haley Lu Richardson is really great in it, such a natural. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/28/24 Full Review Cameron H Great shots and acting. Slow-medium movie Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/31/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Columbus

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a renowned architecture scholar falls suddenly ill during a speaking tour, his son Jin finds himself stranded in Columbus, Ind., a small Midwestern city celebrated for its many significant modernist buildings. Jin strikes up a friendship with Casey, a young architecture enthusiast who works at the local library. As their intimacy develops, Jin and Casey explore both the town and their own conflicted emotions.
Director
Kogonada
Producer
Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Aaron Boyd, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz
Screenwriter
Kogonada
Distributor
DOF, Superlative Films
Production Co
Depth of Field, Superlative Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 4, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.0M
Runtime
1h 44m