Samu Life (2015) User Reviews

could be better

[Hombredelfuturo · 5/10 · 17 February 2017]

This movie had a nice premise and a possible good plot but somehow did not fulfilled my expectations. Its based on a autobiographical story about a young school teacher that at some point in his studies decides to found a new school. In fact the school exist in a village in Ueda Nagano. If you search google maps for "Samugaku" you will find it. The wall says big: Schola imagine.

The thematic is very good: education; another view; a newer one, may be; but you never see anything related to that; no methods, no approaches, no traces of what this new school would do. ---In my opinion, the formal academic education in most countries is obsolete and moves around in circles. The focus of the methods is wrong; no matter what PhD or career you are studying. The text books still transmit the same old type of methods. The professors, teachers, instructors carry on and prolong these plans. The students cannot learn that way; so they only learn to solve or do not, exams. Learning mostly by memory or repeating again and again the same stuff; then if they become teachers; do the same with their students---

All the plot occurs in a rapid and "easy" way for the spectator. There are serious themes here but without any deep approach; just like eating pop corn and see the world passing by.

Do not get it the roll of his wife; in the movie she s a very good and understanding woman (as well as beautiful) but he s showed like one without any interest in she or his family.

The other rolls appear like out of the blue to form a team to help this dream to be a reality...

Is OK to pass the time but not that great. I put 5 stars only because the thematic and the success of the Teacher and crew in real life.

Feelgood gem about finding your route and home in life

[shide_85 · 8/10 · 10 May 2020]

In short: If you like feelgood movies this should be on your list, mind you that it's not through and through heartwarming but the dark edges has been partially cut off (probably to emphasize positivety) but they are still there to crete the oposition (yin and yang) to make the real life based story sing true. The trust between characters is also rare to see today in cinemas and storylines (the fascist winds are still alive) and here depicted with subtle facial acting and with good chemistry it feels very real.

This movie feels more as a home movie than a modern movie, and that together with the tight knit group of people you get to follow (with close ups and matching light to the mood of the scene it works really well of creating the intimate feeling - letting the movie get up and close to you, if you let it).

Pro's Chemistry (cast) Directing Cinematography

Con's Doesn't let the pauses really speak as loud as they could Some mood pieces could be done better with larger shots or simple zoom in's and out's (which aren't really there) The lead, makes a good performance (good pick overall), but at a few times he stumbles, often to recooperate it into the scene, it works out allright but to some it'll stand out

End notes: There has been several Japanese movies that are tight and up close about life and creating reality coming out, this is a good addition to those low budget movies that capture life so well. Shows that there are more movies than samurai, crime and drama movies coming out of Japan that are seeworthy.