My review is based on English subtitled version. I would have ranked this film higher if the story, based on a best selling novel, had a less conventional sequence of events leading to its ending.The dependence upon and presumption of another person's benevolence may resonate more with a mature Japanese audience. Reportedly the Japanese film title is more indicative that this is a family story from mens' perspective.
English subs use the term "shut in" to describe the eldest son's past personality. I thought the subs might have included the Japanese term "hikikomori" that would have characterized the personal journey of elder son's (Satoshi Tsumabuki) reclusive adolescent dependency upon mother (Mieko Harada) to assuming adult responsibility for the whole family. According to the narrative he was a"futoko" or "school refusal"; no other culture having as many classifications of behavior as the Japanese. The film does a better job portraying personal development of the younger son where Sosuke Ikematsu provides "body language" relief from the somber tone of the film.
One glaring mistake in the subtitles. The yen are not converted into US dollars, making the family debts seem extraordinary for what is supposed to be a rather ordinary family. One mistake not made is the restaurant's gold star on black labeled beer bottles, indicating that Ishii likes the same Sapporo brand favored by Yasujiro Ozu and Yoji Yamada. The bar scene uses a lesser brand.
Reviewing the technical details, such as shooting in less expensive 16mm, I speculate the film is actually a kind of promotional vehicle for director and cast. Director Ishii is adding family drama to his past comedic accomplishments. The Horipro production showcases two of the brightest stars in its stable; their first joint appearance. The bonus disc shows Tsumabuki and Ikematsu practicing baseball for their next joint outing in Ishii's The Vancouver Asahi. For film trivia sake and fraternal appearance, they were coincidentally born 25 miles apart from each other in western Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture.
The film that has several wonderfully acted and directed scenes that highlight family alienation or intimacy. The film aptly conveys its suburban Tokyo setting in hilly Yamanashi and has a soothingly supportive minimalist score composed by Takashi Watanabe. I leave the menu screenshot on longer just so I can listen to the music. Note the film score only plays on the menu of the Japan Region 2 version.
English subs use the term "shut in" to describe the eldest son's past personality. I thought the subs might have included the Japanese term "hikikomori" that would have characterized the personal journey of elder son's (Satoshi Tsumabuki) reclusive adolescent dependency upon mother (Mieko Harada) to assuming adult responsibility for the whole family. According to the narrative he was a"futoko" or "school refusal"; no other culture having as many classifications of behavior as the Japanese. The film does a better job portraying personal development of the younger son where Sosuke Ikematsu provides "body language" relief from the somber tone of the film.
One glaring mistake in the subtitles. The yen are not converted into US dollars, making the family debts seem extraordinary for what is supposed to be a rather ordinary family. One mistake not made is the restaurant's gold star on black labeled beer bottles, indicating that Ishii likes the same Sapporo brand favored by Yasujiro Ozu and Yoji Yamada. The bar scene uses a lesser brand.
Reviewing the technical details, such as shooting in less expensive 16mm, I speculate the film is actually a kind of promotional vehicle for director and cast. Director Ishii is adding family drama to his past comedic accomplishments. The Horipro production showcases two of the brightest stars in its stable; their first joint appearance. The bonus disc shows Tsumabuki and Ikematsu practicing baseball for their next joint outing in Ishii's The Vancouver Asahi. For film trivia sake and fraternal appearance, they were coincidentally born 25 miles apart from each other in western Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture.
The film that has several wonderfully acted and directed scenes that highlight family alienation or intimacy. The film aptly conveys its suburban Tokyo setting in hilly Yamanashi and has a soothingly supportive minimalist score composed by Takashi Watanabe. I leave the menu screenshot on longer just so I can listen to the music. Note the film score only plays on the menu of the Japan Region 2 version.
