An Unforgettable Contemplation on Life and Death

Rating: 10/10 (29 March 2009)

A Cello Player in a Tokyo orchestra loses his job after the Orchestra is disbanded. Together with his kind, gorgeous wife, they move to his hometown of YAMAGATA and start a new life in his late mother's house. He then chances to find a job in a company preparing dead people for cremation. The stigma of having a job in which he must touch dead people, soon gives way to people's respect for a profession that is as important and beautiful as life itself. The Japanese title of the movie - おくりびと (OKURIBITO) - literally means SENDING PEOPLE OFF and that's what the movie is about; But this beautifully written and exceptionally acted movie - which is "perfect" like anything else out of Japan - is an intense, philosophical contemplation on Life and ultimately rebirth through Death - which I have only seen in Abbas Kiarostami's "THE TASTE OF CHERRY" - and how people even in a traditional society like Japan sometimes fail to understand that we have been born to help each other make this world a better place and to love and forgive each other and respect our elders no matter how many mistakes they make; But this lesson is eloquently and modestly taught and learned. The heartbreaking denouement, where Daigo prepares his father's body for cremation and the cremation of the lady owner of the village Bathhouse are just two highlights in this gem of a movie which demands multiple viewings and deep reflection. The direction, screenplay, acting and cinematography are top-notch and the scenes with Fujisan in the background are strikingly shot and edited. Forgiveness is one of the greatest blessings ever granted to human beings and it's heartrendingly pictured in this deserved Oscar winner. Don't miss this one.