Finally a couple of films without pat hollywood endings

We watched a couple of interesting films this weekend. The first one Balzac and the Little Seamstress is about the relationship between two intelligent and resourceful teenage boys sent from the city into the countryside during Mao's cultural revolution and a very bright granddaughter of the local tailor, referred to as "The Little Seamstress." The boys educate the young girl and find other ways to share culture with their fellow students. There is humor throughout the show interspersed amongt the absurdity of condition and tragedy.
I don't want to spoil the plot but the film manages to end on somewhat of an upnote, but one that is very realistic and a bit melancholy.
I was expecting more of a comedy when I rented Broken Flowers starring Bill Murray. Quite a bit of substance and the movie leaves us as it does the main character - with a great deal of uncertainty. It was a very human movie - definitely worth watching. Most know by now that this movie is about a journey. I appreciate that this journey didn't have moments of epiphany or deus ex machina contrivances - it was simple and felt very real. Jim Jaramusch did a good job writing and directing this one. The casting of Bill Murray was spot on.
Life does not always lead to resolution.