Product: Tokyo Sonata (2008)
Rating: 5.0
I wasn't expecting it to be this good!
I am a lover of Japanese cinema new and old, and lately we have seen a handful of really good modern films being brought to the states. This is a richly told story of a very interesting family that appears wholesome and normal on the outside but is rather... interesting when they are together.The acting is all very good, top notch Japanese acting with very expressive styles.Basically the story is one of starting over. All of the characters have something that they would like to 'do over' and in a way they begin the steps towards accomplishing that goal. There are some funny moments, some sad moments, but all in all the film has a message of hope and finding happiness in being together, despite the strife and turmoil of everyday life.It's not the easiest movie to get into, but it rewards the patient viewer. It is also one of the rare modern Japanese films that lends itself to watching more than once. Fantastic film, and one of the best Japanese family dramas in recent years.