elegant and deliberate in execution and pace, departures is one of the most sensitively-unfolded stories i've watched of finding oneself and discovering release through it. the japanese culture of traditions and rites lend understated dignity throughout while accompanied by a poignant and yearning cello motif. absolutely beautiful and moving.
4 comments:
Love reading your reviews, as always. thank you! i also felt that this is a beautiful collaboration between actor and director. The most intensely moving scenes for me were those switching betw the gentleness of the actor's face, his hands and then to family members. yojiro takita and motoki have effectively portrayed the pain, shame and fear melting away as the family members witness this man, who is a complete stranger, treating their departed with so much love and respect. And of course, the panoramic release and comic reliefs weaving the stages together. Sigh. i am hooked!
Hope Lil had a great time too.
yes, you sound like you were really drawn into this film!
i thought every element was so deftly handled, except maybe the music which i felt bordered on exploitative at moments - i mean, motoi is playing a single cello in the scene but an orchestral backup slowly creeps until it has expanded to a lush emotional climax. i didn't find that necessary, nonetheless, i'll admit it worked quite well.
i loved all of the human interactions that were portrayed. from the wife, guilt-ridden colleague, eccentric boss, estranged father, bath-house lady and her son, various clients and the sub-plots among the clients: there's an astounding amount of relationships that were thrown at the audience yet it all feels so natural and each equally compelling to watch.
masterpiece indeed!
dit: I absolutely enjoyed the movie.. It was very elegant and felt that it has also given the dead trememdous amount of respect. It really aided the family's grieving process. The soundtrack was truly magical...
:D Mmmmmm. *Nod nod*
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