The Color of Paradise

Name: The Color of Paradise
Genre: Drama, Family
Released: March 24, 2000
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 80

2000

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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Universal acclaim based on 29 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 29 Ratings

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Color Of Paradise

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: March 24, 2000 | PG

Summary: The story of an active 8 year-old blind boy who shows how he senses the world without sight. The film also follows the progress of the father-son relationship after the death of the mother.

Director: Majid Majidi

Genre(s): Drama, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Lisa Schwarzbaum

While never slow, the film feels quiet and spacious, like a prayer. Read full review

100

Bob Graham

This is a transcendent film, deeply committed and beautifully wrought. It will make anyone who sees it look at the world with new eyes. Read full review

Richard Corliss

This miniature epic is a film that, like its young hero, will enrich those who peer into its poignant heart.

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Reputed to be sentimental crowd pleaser, for better and for worse. Read full review

Jonathan Foreman

Doesn't have the emotional heft of his "Children of Paradise," but it's still moving.

Staff [Not Credited]

Seductively pastoral but also a bit slight, the movie saves its best scene for the very end.

David Sterritt

Although it has a good heart and a warm spirit, this prettily filmed drama is more sentimental and manipulative than earlier Iranian films on youth-related subjects. Read full review

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User Reviews

NaveenA.

May 5, 2007

This is a wonderful movie. It is sheer poetry on cellulide. The last scene brings tears in viewer's eyes.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JunaD.

Oct 5, 2009

Its one of the best movies i ever saw..... In the first scene, When he touches his father's hand...there is a load of emotion unleashed...it was so good...and the scene where he saves a baby bird..the thought wouldn't have flashed even in a perfect human's Its one of the best movies i ever saw..... In the first scene, When he touches his father's hand...there is a load of emotion unleashed...it was so good...and the scene where he saves a baby bird..the thought wouldn't have flashed even in a perfect human's eye...totally....AWESOME BLOSSOM!!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

meydianarizki21

Nov 20, 2021

Definitely a must-see - an experience beyond words through the eyes (and heart) of a blind boy
Iranian writer-director Majid Majidi, who gave us "Children of Heaven" (U. S. 1999), returns with yet another powerful film, "Color of Paradise" (U. S. 2000). This time, the storyline may seemDefinitely a must-see - an experience beyond words through the eyes (and heart) of a blind boy
Iranian writer-director Majid Majidi, who gave us "Children of Heaven" (U. S. 1999), returns with yet another powerful film, "Color of Paradise" (U. S. 2000). This time, the storyline may seem straightforward but it's layered with emotions enduringly strong, fulfilled by fantastic actors. So much is told simply on their faces: be it joy, sadness, gut wrenching dilemma or misery, wistful bewilderment, and all the nuances of a blind boy's facial expressions (from Mohsen Ramezani as Mohammad.) The cinematography also captured the beauty of the Iranian countryside landscape - its hills, forests, fields, greens and colorful flowers.

As the film opens, we are given a sense of being in the dark - black blank screens with only subtitles to the voices we heareventually we see some cassettes and a crowd of youngsters around a man (their teacher)we are at a school for the blind children in Tehran.

Besides the various Iranian traditions and livelihood in the villages beyond the city of Tehran, we get to appreciate the language of nature as Mohammad hears it through the rippling sound of river rapids, constant repeats of birds chirping a-calling in the forest, leaves rustling in the wind. Truly, the color of paradise eludes not to an innocent blind boy. But Mohammad's father (played by Hossein Mahjoub), who wanted to shed this burden of a blind son so he can be married again, is in such a rut - feeling so miserable, he's blind and numb to it all.

Mohammad's grandmother (wonderfully portrayed by Salime Feizi) is the soul and bond that ties the family together. She loves her grandson dearly and maintains a kindred connection with Mohammad. Through her we felt the glimmer of hope that her son could eventually come to his senses and face life/reality head on to appreciate the existence of his (blind) son. I can appreciate the magically indescribable bond between the grandmother and the grandchild as I recall my dearly departed grandmother.

In 90 minutes, the film is gem-packed with many levels of poignant sensitivity. Director and cinematographer collaborated in presenting poetic moments enhanced by the lyrical film score. The simple act of feeding the chickens: the happiness of being together glows on the faces of Granny, Mohammad and his two sisters, with feathers flying, petals gliding. The three children running in the vast fields with the colorful flowers all around (just like the film's poster), such joy is echoed in their laughter.

What a gripping, emotional ending sequence - awe is the word, literally speechless. (I did wish the camera held one second longer before the credits roll.) Majid Majidi is a rare gemstone of a filmmaker from Iranian cinema - a man of substance and role model. Again he shows us somehow there is always a glimmer of light, that there are gods out there who will bestow hope.

Experience this "Color of Paradise" journey. Check out "Children of Heaven" if you haven't seen it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

meydianarizki

Nov 10, 2022

Definitely a must-see - an experience beyond words through the eyes (and heart) of a blind boy.Iranian writer-director Majid Majidi, who gave us "Children of Heaven" (U. S. 1999), returns with yet another powerful film, "Color of Paradise" (U. S. 2000). This time, the storyline may seemDefinitely a must-see - an experience beyond words through the eyes (and heart) of a blind boy.Iranian writer-director Majid Majidi, who gave us "Children of Heaven" (U. S. 1999), returns with yet another powerful film, "Color of Paradise" (U. S. 2000). This time, the storyline may seem straightforward but it's layered with emotions enduringly strong, fulfilled by fantastic actors. So much is told simply on their faces: be it joy, sadness, gut wrenching dilemma or misery, wistful bewilderment, and all the nuances of a blind boy's facial expressions (from Mohsen Ramezani as Mohammad.) The cinematography also captured the beauty of the Iranian countryside landscape - its hills, forests, fields, greens and colorful flowers.

As the film opens, we are given a sense of being in the dark - black blank screens with only subtitles to the voices we heareventually we see some cassettes and a crowd of youngsters around a man (their teacher)we are at a school for the blind children in Tehran.
Besides the various Iranian traditions and livelihood in the villages beyond the city of Tehran, we get to appreciate the language of nature as Mohammad hears it through the rippling sound of river rapids, constant repeats of birds chirping a-calling in the forest, leaves rustling in the wind. Truly, the color of paradise eludes not to an innocent blind boy. But Mohammad's father (played by Hossein Mahjoub), who wanted to shed this burden of a blind son so he can be married again, is in such a rut - feeling so miserable, he's blind and numb to it all. What a gripping, emotional ending sequence - awe is the word, literally speechless. (I did wish the camera held one second longer before the credits roll.) Majid Majidi is a rare gemstone of a filmmaker from Iranian cinema - a man of substance and role model. Again he shows us somehow there is always a glimmer of light, that there are gods out there who will bestow hope.
Experience this "Color of Paradise" journey. Check out "Children of Heaven" if you haven't seen it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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