Review of Kabei: Our Mother (2008) by Steve H — 25 Mar 2012
The Director of 'Love and Honor' 'The Hidden Blade' and 'Twlight Samurai' changes tact here for this story set in 1940. Straight away I noticed the use of certain items that he couldn't have in his earlier period pieces (but I thought were cleverly presented at the start of this film).
Namely - The newspaper, the car and the clock. All telling us about how time has changed things. Or maybe i'm just comparing and reading too much into this. Certain things haven't changed - the mother still in the same position cleaning.
...and the style of the film, although both the tale and the picture are darker with events happening faster. Maybe faster or quicker are the wrong description it's still at a snail's pace - This director is a brilliant storyteller and there's no need to rush.
It's always been about relationships.....and this one is about the children's with their mother. The setting isn't as charming as the other films, but the story's good...I liked it. I liked the 'bowing' scene, that was humourus.
Not bad when it's the director's 80th film! This was totally fascinating and absorbing. But I didn't like the ending....it's the weakest of his i've seen.
This review of Kabei: Our Mother (2008) was written by Steve H on 25 Mar 2012.
Kabei: Our Mother has generally received very positive reviews.
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