Writer-director Jia has a marvellous way with the camera, catching the events from unusual angles--often long takes in long-shot, sometimes filming around corners or letting the camera get left behind the "action". The result is sometimes infuriatingly distant, but mostly mesmerising; it brings the characters to life and examines the communist society from a sideways glance. It's also fiercely realistic, gritty and relaxed, capturing natural performances from the non-professional cast. Yes, it's rather impenetrable for Western audiences (there are no clues to how much time is passing), very symbolic (the title refers to what it feels like to wait for a train that may never arrive), and often somewhat self-indulgent (an hour could be cut without changing much). But it's also fascinating, original, profoundly beautiful filmmaking.