I loved this movie

Rating: 10/10 (24 October 2003)

A mood piece with high aesthetic value for those who appreciate the Japanese culture. I liked the touches of old Japan in a high tech, modern setting. I liked the story and the characters and was thoroughly involved with the characters. The acting was superb, very delicate and touching. I would hope that Bill Murray receives an academy award nomination for this work. But, the storyline and the characters somehow seemed incidental. I was profoundly touched by another quality in the movie that I don't understand and can't explain. It is something akin to the feeling I had when I saw "Life is Beautiful." A feeling that there is an underlying goodness to life, in all circumstances and in all places, IF we "let it be." The Japanese setting seemed to provide universality and a certain timelessness to this feeling. Perhaps the feeling I am trying to describe is a touch of Zen. I found myself carefully watching every second of the movie and loving every little touch in every frame. But, then, I am an older (age 62) woman. I doubt that the 20-30 somethings would see the same qualities. Perhaps this movie is best saved for the "letting go" phase of one's life. If it has a message, it is about departing the things we love with grace.