My wife and I saw this little gem of a film last night at a Japanese festival in Montreal and loved it. That being said I want to comment on the negative reviews about the film.
I find the comments veer towards the overly glib and formulaic. The film does not meet this or that film model. It did not accurately represent the the reality of post war Japan (most reviewers are not qualified to knowledgeably opine on that reality). And the most ludicrous of them all; it tried to make me feel too good, etc.
Come on people, stop deconstructing; some times a cigar is just a cigar. The story is the story, the acting the acting. Get your heads out of film class and just have a good time if that is where this film leads you. Otherwise, stop trying to keep others from having a good time.
I find the comments veer towards the overly glib and formulaic. The film does not meet this or that film model. It did not accurately represent the the reality of post war Japan (most reviewers are not qualified to knowledgeably opine on that reality). And the most ludicrous of them all; it tried to make me feel too good, etc.
Come on people, stop deconstructing; some times a cigar is just a cigar. The story is the story, the acting the acting. Get your heads out of film class and just have a good time if that is where this film leads you. Otherwise, stop trying to keep others from having a good time.