some films pick themselves for viewing based on heritage
like this one from hirokazu koreeda who also directed i wish
a beautiful film from a few years back about a 12 year old boy
who was told the space between passing bullet trains was magical
here he also has chosen to focus on children of divorced parents
a young lady is seen serenely asleep in daylight with a young man
a message chirps on her phone, she wakes, arouses and dashes off
then seen arriving for breakfast at her home shared with her 2 sisters
it seems to be a familiar ritual though a phone call has been received
their father has died - no sadness seen though as he left 14 years prior
this upon divorcing their mother who also started a new life elsewhere
the sisters agree to attend the funeral and are then seen on small train
arriving at a rural station they are met by suzu asano - their half sister
they all displaying the politeness and respect known of japanese culture
the same at the funeral where estranged family members are honoured
a bond forms between suzu and her 3 sisters - sachi, yoshino and chika
mostly after it becomes apparant young suzu was their father's main carer
her own mother also divorced by the father so she now seems abandoned
as they board the train to head home suzu is invited to live with the sisters
so far - so good - it all seems very natural, very gentle and very absorbing
scenes of rural and mountainous japan and also domestic life easy to take
when suzu shows up we then learn more of each of the girls personalities
eldest sister sachi is a nurse in a plutonic relationship with a married doctor
their close friendship plays out as he promises divorce to take up with sachi
middle sister yoshino works for a bank and likewise has a male co-worker
they attend meetings together in the community assisting small businesses
one being a local restaurant that is a favourite eating place for the sisters
the lady owner in financial difficulty with a greedy brother and partner
youngest sister chika is fun-loving, alcohol imbibing and carefree
she works in a shoe shop with a young male mountaineer hobbyist
suzu slides into school and community life and is a star soccer player
her best friend is a boy also on the team who she regularly hangs out with
one beautiful scene of them on his bike riding through a cherry blossom tunnel
and so it goes - not much at all really - i keep waiting for some turn of events
but it doesn't happen - this director intent on showing the normality of life
there's some angst when their mother (and house owner) makes a visit
elder daughter sachi in particular carries some anger after 14 years
the time since their mother walked out on them - but it is resolved
a great aunty also on the scene to placate the situation amicably
sachi accepts an offer to manage her hospital's terminally ill ward
this where the cafe owner ends up and so another sad funeral
after which the 4 sisters are seen strolling and chatting on a beach
as the 3 older sisters look on at suzu they acknowledge their father
admitting despite his ways he has left them a beautiful gift in suzu
thems tears in my eyes - i'm moved - what a simply beautiful film...
