People often perceive the Japanese as inscruitable and mysterious, as their rituals and religion seem to bear little relation to western ways of thinking. That alone should be a recommendation for everyone to see this heartfelt film as it lets the viewer enter a world that we all inhabit.
As a result of the death of the father we are left to witness the grief and all the attendant emotions of the immediate family and friends of the deceased. British director Mike Leigh has been over similar ground, exposing raw emotion under trying circumstances but Juzo Itumi eschews cynicism and personal demons to portray a family who like any other, have their flaws, but are essentially good and normal people. The whole film is understated in its approach and it would be a hard-hearted person indeed who would not be touched in some way.
The film ends simply and beautifully as we all hope to some day.
As a result of the death of the father we are left to witness the grief and all the attendant emotions of the immediate family and friends of the deceased. British director Mike Leigh has been over similar ground, exposing raw emotion under trying circumstances but Juzo Itumi eschews cynicism and personal demons to portray a family who like any other, have their flaws, but are essentially good and normal people. The whole film is understated in its approach and it would be a hard-hearted person indeed who would not be touched in some way.
The film ends simply and beautifully as we all hope to some day.