Maborosi
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Movie Reviews of Maborosi
Movie Review: Lyrical, lovely, poetic
Summary: 5 Stars
While this film requires some patience (if action's your thing try Crouching Tiger) it more than rewards your attention; the consistent long shots might play better in a theater, however.After a grueling Wong Kar Wai retrospective where I despaired of mainstream straight white male critics ever being able to point me in the right direction I was overjoyed to find some solace in this gentle, slowly-unfolding, elegant little movie.
What I loved about it was not so much its female-centeredness (which I appreciated) but its almost documentary-esque unveiling of her life in the day to day, revealed not with action but with the small details and environmental texture that make up and shade her response to her recent loss. If you require American-style moral certainty and a narrative arc you'll be disappointed.
So many shots linger in my mind from this film but none so much as the long shot that ends the film in a breathtaking, minimalist coda.
Movie Review: Very nice
Summary: 5 Stars
The camera techniques and the subtle use of expression instead of words made me like this film. I found myself captivated by the movie and trying to figure out what she must be thinking. I was excited to see how she would react to certain things like her new husband. I liked how they use that technique where they just shoot a picture of an object, like when everybody left the room and they show the door closed for a moment. It reminded me of how another director, "Beat" Takeshi, films an actor looking at something instead of showing the object/event itself. Kudos to the director for making this film great. This movie is a perfect example of why I tend to like Japanese films more than American ones.Movie Review: Contemporary Classic in the vein of Ozu
Summary: 5 Stars
The climax of the movie comes in a long shot - no closeups to dramatize the emotion, just a long shot of two people almost in silhouette. Yet it comes with a deep emotional punch. Very much like an Ozu film, the movie proceeds with the joys of daily living, though we are aware of an underlying concern that has yet to be resolved. And once you have been lulled into this languid state, comes a beautifully filmed ten minute sequence ending with this unorthodox but truly effective long shot.
This is a must see for film lovers. Watch with your full attention and let the movie's rhythm sway you.
Movie Review: A top ten.
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is in my top ten. I first saw it in a theater, where the natural light, amazing use of simple landscape, and the day to day aesthetic of japanese life is best appreciated. One thing the film is about for me is the way beauty is temporary and permanent all at the same time. We can lose things (including human relations) of great beauty and still forget how we are surrounded by it always. The ocean figures in this film as one example of this idea. A perfect story of love, a slow meditation on life, a beautiful canvas of light and dark.Movie Review: If you love Japanese culture, you'll love this film
Summary: 5 Stars
Maborosi (Maboroshi no Hikari) is a beautiful film. It's simply one of the best movies in my Japanese collection (which isn't small). Not that having lived for several years in the rural area where much of the movie is set biases my opinion.The imagery and music are wonderful. The story is contemplative and haunting. Esumi Makiko is beautiful. The acting is as natural as the Japanese countryside. Even after many viewings, this movie holds up -- I wish I could find more like this one.