The Philosophy of Ang Lee

The Philosophy of Ang Lee

2013 • 314 pages

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Average rating2

15

Admittedly skipped around in this, skimming and focusing on the essays that most interested me. Probably read a third of the book and skimmed the rest. Truth be told, I don't think this book is very good. I found very little that illuminated Ang Lee's films in here, only half-argued connections to various philosophers who are either dubiously or exhaustively explained (there's no in between). Some of the films crop up again and again (Brokeback Mountain is in nearly every other essay), meanwhile others seem entirely absent (Pushing Hands only merits an occasional mention).

There's definitely good stuff in here, it's just buried. It's also written in a dry, academic tone that makes it nearly impenetrable to anyone (like me) not already familiar with philosophical vocab.

Hard pass on this one, and I'm still not convinced there is a good book on Ang Lee's films.

May 28, 2023