"Departures" is literally a departure from the ordinary film.

Rating: 10/10 (10 February 2012)

Yojiro Takita has created a masterpiece of cultural and musical cinema that literally overwhelms the audience with humor, emotion, sensitivity and great talent. The story surrounds a Cellist in the symphony in Tokyo. He is Daigo Kobayashi, played so perfectly by Masahiro Motoki. His wife, Mika Kobayashi, played by Ryoko Hirosue, is equally as artful in her role as an adoring spouse willing to grow and learn in their marriage. After the symphony owner closes the organization, the couple moves to Daigo's original home town village where he is desperate for a job (now in debt for his beautiful cello). The very most outstanding role is that of Ikuei Sasaki, played so well by Tsutomu Yamazaki. He is the "Okuribito" or one who prepares the body for cremation. His believable and sensitive portrayal of this unusual job is remarkable. There are of course musical interludes with the cello as well as the symphony that powerfully supplement the already dynamic cinematic experience. It is not a film for those who are unable to appreciate the sadness of the death experience, however, I highly recommend this film and its honest approach to a delicate subject that is handled with dignity for one of life's most common experiences. It is now available on DVD and a 2008 film not to be missed.