They Say Nothing Stays the Same (2019) User Reviews

mostly good. didn't need to be so long or meandering

[ksf-2 · 6/10 · 19 August 2023]

They say nothing stays the same, which is the english translation of the japanese original. Toichi has been bringing people and their things back and forth across the river for many years. But now, they are building a bridge which will probably put him out of business. One day, toichi rescues a girl, found floating in the river, but she takes a long time to start talking. Meanwhile, he talks things over with his friend nihei. The lesson here seems to be that the ferryman takes the time to listen to the traveler's story, and passes them along to others. Now with the new bridge, the histories of everyone's lives will be lost, since they don't talk and interact. It's pretty long, at two hours, seventeen minutes. Lots of long, quiet scenes, where all we hear are the crickets in the distance. Confusing scenes in the last twenty minutes. The subplot of the girl, and what she goes through just seem to add to the confusion. We get the message, but it was a long way to go for the result. It's mostly good. Could have been shorter. Written and directed by joe odagiri.

Life and death on the river.

[net_orders · 5/10 · 19 April 2021]

The boring life of an impoverish boatman living in a remote community and barely able to survive (he never charges the locals for rides) is well captured. Always in the background is construction noise from a new bridge which will be completed shortly and render river crossing by boat a historical curiosity (if even that). The boatman seems to have no plans for the future, but his lack of planning may dramatically change judging from the film's closing scenes. To add some variety, the script introduces a mysterious (and injured) girl who floats by face down and is hauled ashore by the boatman. It is also randomly punctuated with fantasy sequences (see below) as well as the appearance of a diverse and unlikely cast of characters (especially towards the film's end) seeking transport. But the movie is overly long, often boring, and (except for excellent cinematography) somewhat impoverished itself (especially when it comes to its direction and script). Actors seem to be left to their own devices in the absence of consistent (or any?) direction. The lead (boatman) actor is miscast and unable to carry the film by himself. Tossed into the mix is a far-fetched underwater scene (the mysterious girl seems to be able to breathe in water), a ghost who periodically pops up, and some confusing visions and/or flashbacks. The film's ending is abrupt and appears rushed with many major loose ends seemingly left intact. Score is rather generic. Subtitles are close enough. Some closing credits are translated. Now a word about the principal movie set. The boatman's shack (and one landing site) is located on what appears to be an incredibly dangerously stretch of rocky and treacherous river bank making walking perilous even for those with the proper gear. It is unsettling to watch actors trying to navigate this hostile terrain in bare feet and sandals! Viewed at JICC J-Film event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.