or losing the battle against sentimentalism
i've been thinking a lot about the movie Departures since i watched it at a screening in chelsea last weekend.
i enjoyed it... such a thoughtful portrayal of the formalities and processes that help us accept death, and a film that, despite its solemn subject matter, manages to strike a balance between serious drama and comedy.
but i had some other thoughts too.
i was prepared for some sentimental moments, but it was a bit much. i felt like the director piled on three or four too many cheesy scenes, some a bit too predictable. there wasn't much subtlety to the metaphors it angled for, and the cello scene made me cringe... it's the kind of sentimentalism that is way too prevalent in japanese film and popular culture in general.
but i wouldn't say it wasn't effective. because yes, like everyone else, i was in tears through half the movie! gah!!!!
and to be honest, part of me kind of misses that part of japan -- that certain softness, that earnest way.
oh, and most importantly! the actor masahiro motoki appeared in person at the screening, and took some questions from the audience. i was impressed at how articulate and thoughtful (not to mention how absolutely handsome) he was. his acting was pretty good. i wasn't sure what to expect since i hadn't seen much apart from his funny commercials. in the end, though, what really pulled the movie together was the great acting by tsutomu yamazaki, who was in some great juzo itami films like Tampopo... speaking of which, i love this scene:
