|
| Movie Review: Departures Alternate Title: Smooth Crossings
Story: This was the film that
most likely helped you lose your 2008 Oscar pool when it beat out the
much favored Waltz With Bashir for Best Foreign Language
Film at the Oscars. I can understand why this
film beat out the competition. It is a well directed piece by Yojiro
Takita with a moving screenplay by Kundo Koyama
that has much to say about living, dying and the voyage that we all
eventually will take. Daigo, a cello enthusiast loses his job with
a now defunct symphony and returns to his childhood home with his adoring
wife to find work and to figure out what to do with the rest of his
life. In a series of comical scenes he obtains a job in a business that
prepares the recently departed's body (encoffinment), in front of the
grieving family, for cremation. As Daigo learns the true meaning of death through
the bereaved family, he gains maturity, respect and a new life. We get
to watch the ritual of 'encoffinment' and also share in the process,
the beauty and that often overused word 'closure.' There are many scenes without dialogue that will
break your heart, make you think, feel and I guarantee that you will
shed a tear or two. Bravo to this fine film that is a bit over sentimental
and entirely too long but has much to say. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K3vKuWyEQk Acting: Masahiro Motoki as Daigo was wonderful and
has been awarded for his work. Ryoko Hirosue as his
adoring wife, Mika, is perfect. Tsutomu Yamazaki, as
the boss, is moe than terrific. He reminded me of a Japanese Gregory
Peck.
Trivia: Masahiro Motoki started his
entertainment career as a member of boy band Shibugaki Tai who made
a debut in 1982. They were top idols for the good part of the eighties
in Japan. Tsutomu Yamazaki has been nominated for seven
Japanese Academy Awards, winning Best Actor awards for the Juzo Itami
comedies The Funeral and A Taxing Woman, and the Best Supporting Actor
awards for Go and Departures. Ryoko Hirosue is also
a pop star in Japan as well as an actress.
Predilection: I like to see all of the Oscar winning
films.
Critters: Geese, octopus and salmon.
Food: Food has a large part in this film including
octopus, puffer fish, noodles, rice, veggies and lots of chicken.
Soundtrack: Soaring music interludes that helps to
bring tears to one's eyes including Bach and Brahms.
Opening Titles: An opening sequence that introduces
us to the charming star before the title of the film. All other credits
are at the end.
Visual Art: A beautifully shot film that includes
lovely details of the homes, art and lifestyles of the people outside
of the big cities.
Theater Audience: Our little group, that included
a lovely Japanese woman who had seen this film in Japan, plus a fairly
crowded audience. Our Japanese movie buddy said the subtitles were pretty
good as far as translation goes.
Weather: The film takes us through an entire year
of weather - from the cold winter to the lovely cherry blossoms in the
spring.
Sappy Factor: 2
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: Although it was too long - I did not
drift at all.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: I admit to it being a one tissue film
for me.
Oscar Worthy: Apparently so.
Length: 15 minutes over the two hour rule.
LOBO HOWLS: 8.5
|