- When Wabisuke's father-in-law unexpectedly dies, the family goes through a series of events and occurrences as the funeral unfolds over three days in their home.
- At the beginning of the film the father-in-law of the protagonist dies unexpectedly of a heart attack. The remainder of the film is episodic, moving from one incident to another over the course of the three-day funeral, which is held (as is customary) in the home. These incidents contrast old ways and new ways, young and old, ritual ceremony and true feelings, often comically, but sometimes with real poignancy.—Doug Shafer <dsshafer@uncc.edu>
- Synopsis of The Funeral (Osôshiki , 1984), a nice Japanese movie.
The film depicts a 3-day period following the death of husband/father/father in law/brother/uncle. During those 3 days the funeral is prepared and held. It is a pleasantly paced movie that gives a small insight into Japanese customs that slowly disappear. The IMDB score of 7.2 is justified.
Some scenes are very comical. For example the one in which the older brother of the deceased strolls in the room where the others are negotiating the procedures of the funeral. The older brother is still looking for the north, because the deceased should lie with his head towards the north. A good example of old versus new. A scene that could have well be taken from a movie by Jacques Tati.
The main characters are husband and wife Wabisuke Inoue and Chizuko Amamiya. They are played by two wonderful actors. The man by Tsutomi Yamazaki, the woman by Nobuko Miyamoto. Yamazaki also plays in movies like Tampopo and Departures (Okuribito, 2008). In Departures he plays an undertaker with a very warm heart, very human and very respectful (also as a teacher for his new employee, a cello player). Miyamoto and Yamazaki play together in other movies. For example in A taxing woman (Marusa no onna, 1987), a very entertaining movie in which they play antagonists that have a certain sympathy for each other.
When the father in law got ill, he was rushed to hospital, it's raining cats and dogs. He passes away, quite unceremoniously. The family doesn't know quite well what to do next. They call an undertaker who, indeed, takes care of the undertaking. A coffin is bought. A special model with two little doors in it, they can be opened to take a look at the face of the deceased. Against his will, the body in the coffin is brought to the house of the son in law and his wife (one of the customs the family was not yet aware of). They find a place in the living room to lay out the body, and build an altar. Actual grief is far to find though.
During the second day a lot of people, family, friends, neighbors, are visiting and paying their respects. The whole atmosphere seems to be more merry than solemn. There is food and sake for everybody. During those visits, the son in law takes the opportunity to watch a DVD with a course in how to give the last respects. Some moments later, guests arrive who use the exact same words to show their respects. One can ask oneself how sincere it all is. In the afternoon, the sister in law of Wabisuke Inoue seduces him in the garden. It seems to happen against his will, but happened it did!
Then there is the priest to be dealt with. The family has no clue how much money to give the priest. The amount they have in mind seems huge. Moments later the priest arrives, driven by a private chauffeur in a Rolls Royce. During his visit, the priest is the least modest person around.
Then the final evening vigil arrives. The house is full with a colorful company of all ages. There is food and beer in abundance. The atmosphere is merry and even the widow seems to be having a very good time. People sing and drink. Another scene that could be from a Jacques Tati movie. Late in the night, the visitors leave and leave a trail of noise.
The day of the funeral is very windy and again contains Tatiesque moments. Especially the talk the family has with the stoker of the cremation furnace, a lugubrious scene. The film ends with a very tender and magnificently beautiful speech by the widow.
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