Written & Directed By: Abbas Kiarostami
Cinematography By: Katsumi Yanagijima
Cast: Tadashi Okuno, Rin Takanashi, Ryo Kase
In Tokyo, a young prostitute develops an unexpected connection with a widower over a period of two days
In the late 1990s Abbas Kiarostami was driving late at night while on a visit to Tokyo and witnessed a young girl on the side of the street dressed as a bride. In the years following, while visiting Tokyo to promote other films, he realized that he was always looking for that same girl because she had left such an impression but that he would never likely notice her again in real life because she wouldn't be wearing the same dress. This experience became the basis for the film.
This was a hard film for me, As I found it slow and dull during most of it’s running time. The film chooses to not only deal with the minutiae of life. It also chooses to show everyday moments. It seems in go real time in certain scenes. As we watch in one scene which lasts the entirety of a car ride, nothing much really happens. Later we see a character take a nap at a stop light.
The thing I noticed is that the film. Whose story is simple and never really concludes, Nor even really started as we are just introduced to the characters in the middle of the story and nothing is really defined. Nor too many reasons given for decisions and actions. So that again we are just in the middle of things and only given information that comes up. The characters don’t become open all of a sudden totally for the films sake
It’s a film I can admire from afar. I like what the film does and the way it goes about telling it’s story, More than actually sitting through it and watching it. I appreciate the film even admire it, but I can’t say it’s one of my favorites or that I see myself watching it too many more times again.
The film has long takes and the actors really balance their characters and actions as there is a true naturalness, but know there must be a synchronicity between them. The camera and the direction hit certain spots react and keep the dialogue going. So it feels like a theater piece with few locations and spoken dialogue. Though there are many passages during the film that are dialogue free and nothing much really happens, but says so much about the characters.
Rin Takanashi is beautiful. As Akiko I like that we never know the decisions of her character. Nor does she need saving. She just seems to make the wrong decisions without much thought.
Ryo Kase As her boyfriend is a scary presence. Who seems to have an intensity even when being open and sensitive. He brings energy and a sense of menace to the role and the film. Like a more demented Adam from the television show GIRLS. He is angry like a child as he seems not to know how to put his feelings and emotions into words. So he is physical constantly. It’s the power of the film that as she is violent. You feel a sadness for him as he is being duped. I don’t think it justifies his actions and reactions, but he doesn’t deserve the ruse being pulled on him. The film offers no judgments. But I will say he makes you wince as you watch the film.
I like that director Abbas Kiarostami takes his time as a filmmaker and if he didn’t include scenes or passes of time that seem pointless. It would upset his flow and the atmosphere he is creating. It also allows us to spend more time with the characters, more intimate moments most movies move away from.
It also leaves the audience off balance, never sure exactly what is going to happen or where it’s going.
The film ends rather abruptly the same way no answers. No real conclusions
GRADE: B
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