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| Movie Review: Still Walking Alternate Title: You Can't Go Home Again
Story: You know how uncomfortable
family reunions can be? They are often defined by family members regressing
to early ages, still seething and angry over battles that happened long
ago along with unresolved conflicts. This fine, but achingly slow family
drama was written, directed and edited by Japanese film maker, Hirokazu
Kore-eda and captures this universal story line. The film takes place over one long, agonizing
pent up day as the multi-generational family gathers for the 15th anniversary
of the sudden death of the elder son. We watch (and watch) as the family
prepares food, takes naps, takes walks, visits the grave, eats, prepares
more food, bathes, brushes teeth and in general, avoids discussing feelings.
I admit I wanted the characters to scream at
one another, vent and resolve their differences but this is not a Hollywood
film and so my mindset needed to reboot. Once I accepted the fact that
some family conflicts never get resolved, I relaxed and enjoyed the
preparation of meals and the tiny details of the film. This film is certainly not for everyone but if
you enjoy the rituals of daily life being shown on the screen and want
to spend one day in the life of a Japanese family, check it out. Everyone
else should go eat some sushi. Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id7tXouypEE Acting: The cast is excellent with performances by:
Hiroshi Abe (Ryota Yokoyama), Yui Natsukawa (Yukari), You (Chinami),
Kazuya Takahashi (Nobuo), Shohei Tanaka (Yukari’s son), Kirin
Kiki (Toshiko Yokoyama) and Yoshio Harada (Kyohei Yokoyama).
Trivia: Director Hirokazu Kore-eda
was born in Tokyo in 1962. Originally intended to be a novelist, but
after graduating from Waseda University in 1987 went on to become an
assistant director at TV Man Union. Sneaked off set to film 'Lessons
from a Calf' (1991). His first feature, Maboroshi no hikari (1995),
based on a Teru Miyamoto novel and drawn from his own experiences whilst
filming 'August Without Him (1994)', won jury prizes at Venice and Chicago.
The main themes of his oeuvre include memory and loss, death and loss,
and the intersection of documentary and fictional narratives. Hiroshi
Abe originally started out as a fashion model for magazines
before becoming one of Japan's popular movie & TV actors. Because
of his height (over 6 feet) and features, the Japanese press have compared
him to looking like an anime character come to life.
Predilection: None
Critters: A yellow butterfly has a big part.
Food: Yummy food preparation was a large part of
the film. Think Japanese food, including, sushi, radishes, mushrooms,
onions, fish, tofu and tempura corn fritters.
Sex Spectrum: None
Blatant Product Placement: None
Soundtrack: I cannot recall any music other than
the record that is played as part of a crucial scene.
Opening Titles: I could not read any of the titles
but they are displayed during one the second so's journey via train
with his new wife and her child to the family home.
Visual Art: Details were astonishing.
Theater Audience: About 10 other people.
Weather: It was a lovely spring day.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I drifted.
Predictability Level: I was not sure what was going
to happen.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No, but the film was one of the most
critically acclaimed works at the Toronto, Tribeca, and San Francisco
International Film Festivals.
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7 |