Mijie Li’s Confucian Dream is not the most comfortable watch. In fact, at times this portrait of a family on the verge of separating is downright excruciating. This film is an intimate depiction of a couple seeking answers to the question many of us struggle with in our daily lives: what is truly going to constitute my personal happiness?

After twenty-three years of schooling, Chaoyan seeks answers to an empty feeling in her own life through the ancient teachings of Confucius. In doing so, she hopes to provide her four-year-old son with the values he needs to live a successful life. Yet, this newfound spiritual emphasis places a strain on her marriage to her husband Mei, who feels it will only cause strife. Li’s documentary is also a fascinating one for those who love non-fiction filmmaking where the ethical boundaries are less clear than they maybe should be. There is one fight scene in this film that is painful to watch, and not for the faint of heart. Yet, Li succeeds in keeping the film from devolving into a series of marital spats, by emphasizing just how much each parent truly loves their son.

Confucian Dream, however, is not without its pockmarks. At times it felt that the film seemed to drag, particularly in the long middle section where the couple finds themselves unable to reach a compromise, or even reach a simple decision on when and where bath time is for their son. The film also begins with a title card about the disaffected youth of China, and yet, that felt very much like an unexplored thread throughout the film. Regardless, this is a film with a lot of heart that many will likely enjoy.