But every second is a fresh wonder to savour and sense, but the wonders are everyday things and happenings.

I only found an explanation by reading another review, this is a film based on a Buddhist view of life, so we share with the servant Mui her living absolutely for the present moment, observing everything afresh, being enriched by her silent presence as the family are in the film. This is made possible by the combination of superb photography and minimal dialogue riveting our attention on Mui.

The Buddhist culture of the film explains why when Mui is grown up and working for a young musician he recognises Mui in a bust of Buddha.

Mui is played by two actresses, Man San Lu as a child of 10 and Tran Nu Yen-Khe age twenty, and fortunately both actresses are able to portray the extraordinary personality of Mui.

This master work is probably unique in the power of its simplicity.

feel the calm
Review date: 2004-12-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

the film slowly builds it's layers describing a 10/12 year period in a Vietnamese family who are enjoying mixed fortunes.
all seen through the experience of a young servant from the country.
the colours, the soundtrack and the minimalist dialogue make this a jewel of a film and really allows the watcher to relax and enjoy the unfolding story

The Fruits of Kindness
Review date: 2003-01-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

This lovely and subtle film washes over you like a gentle tropical rain. The dialog is sparse and the beauty dense in director Anh Hung Tran's portrait of a young servant girl in 1951 Saigon and those she serves. There is an intimacy to this film seldom if ever seen on screen. The simple beauty of nature and it's effect on living can actually be felt by the viewer. We can hear the birds chirping and the sound of crickets all through this film just as though we are there.

Man San Lu portrays young Mui as she first comes to serve this family. She learns to cook and do her other tasks from an older servant who has been with this family for many years. You can almost smell the dishes as Mui learns the craft, the film itself a delicious study in our senses. Young and pretty Mui finds beauty in the world around her and Tran's camera captures both her delight and the joy of nature itself. Mui watches milky nectar drip onto leaves of small trees and we see through her eyes what we sometimes take for granted.

This beautiful photography is used to capture more than just nature though. Mui's Mistress (Thi Loc Troung) has lost a daughter in the past who would now be Mui's age. When her husband runs away from his family and takes the money she has saved from her small business in Saigon selling fabric, more of the past is revealed. This is not the first time this has happened and he has run off with the money and a woman. It is heartbreaking when we overhear her mother blaming her for what he has done.

Mui has come to care for the Mistress and she has begun to look upon her as the daughter she lost, hoping her oldest son will grow up and take her for his wife. But it is not to be as times become even harder and the Mistress has to release Mui in a scene filled with kindness and sadness. The film has affected us in such a way that this moment takes on a true intimacy because we know the sweetness of Mui and the dignity of her Mistress who can no longer hide her heart.

Tran moves forward in time 10 years and beautiful Tran Nu Yen-Khe is now Mui, now serving a young and upper class French conservatory student. He is more modern and successful and contrasts the old and new of a changing Saigon. His rich girlfriend is perfect for his life but as we have watched the joy and sweetness of Mui we understand completely why he drops her and breaks tradition by taking Mui instead. It will lead to happiness and one more thought about nature, both floral and human.

This is a gentle film of great and wondrous beauty you will find yourself thinking about for some time afterward. This truly great director has taken a simple story with little dialog and created an emotionally rich film like no other. It is something you must see for yourself, and soon...

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