Beautiful and Poignant Movie about Life and Death

Rating: 9/10 (20 April 2019)

In some ways, Departures reminded me of Alan Ball's Six Feet Under (2001 - 2005) Motivations between their two protagonists may differ but both share story of a man who went back to his hometown and found himself working at a job related with deaths that he though he is never gonna do in his life (Funeral Director/ Encoffinment) and both film and series are extremely good and rich with thematic elements in their own ways
Departures is simply a story about life that happens to exist between birth and death, it is about all the twists and turns in our lives, it is about all the opportunities we miss and we take. It is about how unavoidable death is and how it leaves feeling over a family, it is about all the lives we touch while we are alive. Most importantly it is about the role DEATH plays in Japanese culture
Every aspect of this film is nearly flawless. I can't find any big or hugh mistakes rather than being predictable and oversentimental like most of modern day Asian movies but still from start to finish is absolute beauty and full with lives.
In our country we also have same sort of ceremony for the dead and I can tell you that the rituals performed in the film are carved with attention to details
Performances from everyone is top-notch, I had to say I am moved by performances of supporting characters rather than protagonist. Script, music and directing everything is superb. Overall, Departures is deeply emotional and humane movie about life and death with gorgeous execution