Su-ki-da (2005)

Tender and sad. Ishikawa portrays a failed relationship between a young couple that fails to form a close bond and express true feelings.

While the first part, with several scenes that are almost repetitive, might be somewhat long and can come across as a bit unusual, the second part is all the more intense, stirring up some thoughts, especially regarding the realization of "how beautiful it could have been" or "what went wrong and does it still need to be"...

It leads to several striking scenes, such as that of the sobbing girl, the farewell in the metro station with the closing door... for it must also be said immediately that the film, in all its simplicity, is cleverly put together with beautiful imagery.

I'd pay just under a 4 for it.

Translated from Dutch · View original

A slight disappointment after seeing the amazing Petaru Danse. It is mainly that it is just a bit less good in every aspect. Visually somewhat duller and less distinctive, the characters are less intriguing, there is some contrived drama at times (with that sister who gets hit by a car, a strange stabbing at the end) and silences that feel like they are there because the filmmakers want to come across as interesting, rather than because they come from the characters themselves. These are minor points of criticism that individually aren't very serious, but taken together as a whole, they meant I became much less involved with the film and the characters than with that other film.
That being said, it is still very enjoyable viewing, wonderfully soothing, still beautiful to look at at times, and with one of the sweetest movie kisses ever. 3.5*, rounded up.

Translated from Dutch · View original

A very somber and quiet film. Not that this film is really my cup of tea, but I actually quite enjoyed the first part with young Yu and Yoseke. The silences between the two young students were quite beautiful at times, and the way they keep circling each other is also realistic for two teenagers. The scene where they kiss for the first time and Yoseke walks away is, in my opinion, the most beautiful scene in the film.

The second part, which takes place 17 years later, doesn't do as well for me. Visually, the scenes by the water were also more beautiful, and the ending doesn't really convince me either, with Yoseke ending up in the hospital from a stab wound and Yu coming to whisper that she loves him. I didn't immediately find the second part with the adult Yu and Yoseke particularly special.

This isn't entirely my thing, but I can still give it a 3*.

3*

Translated from Dutch · View original