Rabu Raifu (2022)

The film is typically Japanese in the sense that this film also shows everyday relationship vicissitudes – a married couple become estranged from each other after the death of their son and find more support from their ex-partners with whom the love was more emotionally intense[ /spoiler] – at a somewhat babbling pace where even dramatic events feel a bit boring because Japanese people don't express their emotions explosively. However, the film remains fascinating because of the interesting theme about the nature of love and man: we want to be saved or to save the other, above all from abandonment, but 'true' love is possibly even more deceptive than false love, so that we only make the right choices if we realize our fundamental loneliness and dare to look the other person in the eye. This theme is also reminiscent of Japanese masters such as Ozu and Hamaguchi – in particular Netemo Sametemo (Film, 2018) by Hamaguchi – in whose footsteps the film seems to want to follow, resulting in a not brilliant or original but still fine film.

Translated from Dutch · View original

The best of Fukada, although shortcomings from his previous films also recur here. I especially think that the film is a bit messy in the second half, lacks focus and here and there a twist too much brings. Also in terms of drama well put together but sometimes too restrained so that the characters remain elusive and the emotions do not really penetrate. I see what the director wants to say about grieving and loss, how people deal with it and what that does to relationships. But that's really on a mental level, not a feeling level and somehow I didn't always believe the characters. But yes, that last scene is completely spot on in terms of feeling and tone. Beautifully recorded especially.

Furthermore, a typical contemporary Japanese film (at least as I have it in my head): metropolitan background (literally also often in the picture), rippling pace, soft lighting and mostly normal people where much of normal life is shown in which a large or small ripple takes place. Provided that it is worked out reasonably well, as a film you quickly score points with me because I love being in it.

This is one of those films that has all of that in order, but also has some downsides (mentioned above) and does some things well, but doesn't really excel anywhere. 3.5*.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Beautiful family drama, play and emotions on the square centimeter, especially when a deaf and dumb ex reports, sometimes with some strange outbursts, but good.

Poes plays an important connecting role, and that is not the only thing with which this film seems to have borrowed a lot from Early Spring ( Sôshun) by Ozu.

PS: why not just find it here as Love Life? This is how the film is offered here. And finally, those two words keep coming back in the chorus of the closing song. Now he is almost impossible to find here!

Translated from Dutch · View original