>I've rarely heard this film brought up among the classics of
>its era, but it's as great as any movie I've seen from an
>Asian director.

i would not go that far personally, but i really dug it and agree it deserves more love

i also saw the face of another and pitfall, which i did not enjoy as much


>and an art house theme that works as pure
>entertainment.

yeah, that's an important distinction, arguably not enough films try or at least manage to balance the two so it's special when you find one that excels on both levels