Should have departed from the Oscar Award

Rating: 7/10 (23 November 2012)

there is a beauty in this film that only the Japanese culture is capable of expressing it out. It is the same quality akin to the wabi sabi concept, where even the little things in life, and things which we often take for granted or stay away, such as death, have their own perceived value. Although the overall plot is rather shallow and at times comedic, the beauty that surrounds death and those that have to send off their kins away, is something that will keep anyone glued to the screen.
Hence, it is a good film, and it is understandable why it beat other foreign movie contenders (waltz with bashir and entre les murs), however, I personally think that it did not deserve the Oscars, considering that many elements are still lacking in this movie. In particular, I find the lack of visibility on the outcome of the main character's messed-up life, or what he thinks about himself, a little disturbing, considering that most viewers have a severe lack of knowledge on the lives of people in this line of work. Too much focus was diverted to the job and the clients' feelings. If the director have add a little more to this movie, i might change this statement.