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Mohsen Ramezani, Hossein Mahjoob, Salime Feizi, Elham Sharifi, Farahnaz Safari ... see more see more... , Hossein Mahjub , Hossein Mahjoub , Salameh Feyzi

Director Majid Majidi, whose Bacheha-Ye Aseman/Children Of Heaven was the first Iranian film to be nominated for an American Academy Award, returns with another compassionate story of children in need... read more read more.... Mohammad (Moshen Ramezani) is a student at a special school for blind children in Tehran; when summer break rolls around, Mohammad is the last student to be picked up by his family. His mother is dead, and his father (Hossein Mahjub), who earns a meagre wage working in a charcoal producing plant, sometimes considers abandoning the boy. However, father does eventually arrive, and Mohammad spends the summer with his sisters and grandmother at a farm surrounding by dazzling fields of wild flowers. The summer in the country is a joyous experience for Mohammad, until he discovers his father is giving thoughts to re-marrying, and considers his handicapped son to be a stumbling block in his future matrimonial plans. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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94% liked it

5,526 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

31 critics

PG, 1 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Majid Majidi

Release Date: March 24, 2000

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DVD Release Date: September 19, 2000

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Stats: 389 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (389)

  • imrealgod
    April 17, 2011
    imrealgod
    This was relatively a great relief after having a head exploding experience through 'The Song Of Sparrows'.
  • kiriyamakazou
    August 31, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    A strong, moving tale of beauty and faith. Ramezani (blind in real life) plays a blind boy returning home for the summer from his school for the blind. He is considered a burden by his father, whom pities himself more than his son. The message of the film is one against self-pity... read more. Mohammad finds beauty everywhere he goes, and it is captured in every frame. Seeing him find a bird fallen from its nest and returning it is a lengthy, simple, but captivating scene. Once he returns home, Mohammad reunites with his sisters and Grandmother. They all treat Mohammad as an equal, and use his "disability" to experience the world in new ways. It's difficult to capture the struggles of the blind in a visual medium, so looking at the unique feelings is a much more appropriate way of handling the subject. He amazes a teacher by reading with braille, he focuses on the sounds of birds, and he holds his breath as he hears the waves about to crash over his feet. Mahjoob plays the father well, but his self-pity becomes a chore for the viewer. He isn't cruel in an evil sense, just too whiny to really connect with. The sound department do a great job at singling out specific sounds as Mohammad analyses the world around him. Simple and powerful, The Color of Paradise shows true emotion through its unrivaled photography of the Iranian countryside.
  • fb100000496792525
    February 16, 2012
    fb100000496792525
    Achieves beauty through simplicity.
  • panta2
    February 8, 2011
    panta2
    Rang-e Khoda (literal translation from Persian: The Color of God), is an Iranian film well written and directed by Majid Majidi. It is warm, innocently honest drama which revolves around a blind boy named Mohammed. His father takes him home from his special school in Tehran for s... read moreummer vacation. Mohammed's father, who is a widower, wants to marry a local widow but his blind son is an obstacle because he fears the girl's family will see that as a bad omen.

    The innocent child touches and feels the nature around him, counting the sounds of animals, and imitating them. He displays a unique attitude towards nature, and seems to understand its rhythms and textures as a language. Going back to the village is not the best choice but... Watch this wonderful movie to see what happens next!

    Solid acting by Hussein Mahjoub, Mohsen Ramezani, Salameh Feyzi and Farahnaz Safari but the full enjoyment was a little bit spoiled by the really bad camera used... I guess they didn't have better!
  • Nutterjr
    November 18, 2009
    Nutterjr
    A very touching story about a blind boy, full of love and will, who has lost his mother and his condition is a clear incovenience to his father. In his continuous search for God he experiences life moreso than those around him that can see, and always gives more than he receives... read more. There are a number of memorable scenes, and color is indeed prominent around a boy that cannot see it. Maticulous directing and moving performances all around.
  • mvieaddict
    May 2, 2009
    mvieaddict
    The acting was incredible and I don't recall seeing a child who is as fine actor as the boy who played Mohammed, and not for a moment did his acting ever get in the way of the story. I have not been to Iran but I could have never imagine that this place is so beautiful.

    The Colo... read morer of Paradise takes viewers on a journey of faith,love and creates a masterpiece of emotion that is so beautiful in its simplicity and elegance it touches one's heart. I cried almost the whole movie.
    The movie does not preach and there is no need to; its richness lies in its ability to portray simple elements of nature. In places where Hollywood would have inserted blasting soundtracks, this movie simply lets nature echo in the background.

    Another masterpiece by Majid Majidi. I liked Children of Heaven but this one was way better in my point of view. The acting is superb. It's natural, these are no Hollywood-stars and it's refreshing to see that. The cinematography, just like in other films from Iran, is breath-taking.
    I am still speechless.
  • donnarenee2006
    June 6, 2007
    donnarenee2006
    This is a tear jerker. One of the best Foreign movies I have seen and is a beautiful story and so well written and directed by Majid Majidi.
  • JulianaBeasley
    April 11, 2011
    JulianaBeasley
    As the most of the reviews here have said here this is not only a true heartbreaker, but a lush film about true love and faith. Mohammed, a young boy from a village town will enchant you with his generosity and his ability to live at it's fullest. Although, he is blind, his hand... read mores lead his through the world and into the heart's of those around him.
    The beautiful cinematography of "The Colors of Paradise" and the brilliant colors of the landscape enhances the spiritual beauty that Mohammed cannot see but can feel through curious hands that are always feeling the natural world around him in a search for faith in God.
    His innocent faith of love for the world and faith of those around him is contrasted to his father' lack of faith. This is a must see film. I am a newfound fan of Majid Majidi.
  • marevalo83
    March 11, 2010
    marevalo83
    Rarely do I use the word "heartbreaking" for, well, anything, but this time it was beyond appropriate. What a beautiful -- yet desperate -- film, and absolutely worth watching!
  • mataiwaizu
    May 2, 2009
    mataiwaizu
    Wonderful faith based movie. Wow. Beautiful. I loved everything about it. Here is a movie where every shot means something.

View All The Color of Paradise Reviews

Critic Reviews

Nick Davis
August 14, 2003
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

A modest and accessible Iranian film, softer than most but still intriguing.

John A. Nesbit
July 14, 2002
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

When more film lovers discover the visual beauty of this film and continue to be haunted by its imagery, Majidi's films will surely receive more screenings in the states Full Review

Frank Swietek
January 1, 2000
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

Visually stunning and emotionally wrenching...an uncommonly graceful and deeply moving portrayal of the hopes and desolation of childhood. Full Review

Maria Garcia
January 1, 2000
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International

We find what people are made of, and it isn't always comforting. Full Review

Arthur Lazere
January 1, 2000
Arthur Lazere, culturevulture.net

It tells with sophisticated simplicity a not so simple story of faith and unconditional love and the sadness that comes to one who falls short in both. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 1, 2000
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A convincing spiritual parable about the bounties of grace and the emptiness of a life not filled with gratitude to God. Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 1, 2000
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

The entire film is memorable in its sweet simplicity. Full Review

Deborah Young
May 1, 2009
Deborah Young, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

July 21, 2005
Houston Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin Thomas
August 15, 2002
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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