Review of Noriko's Dinner Table (2005) by Sanjid P — 08 Sep 2010

Noriko's Dinner Table is more of a companion film to the SUICIDE CLUB (2001) than a solid sequel. It's more personal approach to certain themes about family and its lasting effect on youngsters, the generation gap on modern families, the nature of happiness, the lack of understanding or real communication, the alienation it causes and how the Internet & pop culture is used in an attempt to mend it, and the concept of identity & family to certain age groups.

The thing is generation gaps, the connectivity concept in defining happiness or the social detachments are very human & universal theme in modern world and can be distinguished in matter of different social & cultural perspectives also. Sono deals the issues here as both the films are like Japanese allegories, meditation on issues like urbanization and the impact of family in a country where relatively high suicide rates somewhat signifies 54 cheerful teenagers throwing themselves in front of a train or a business concept called Family Rental.

Both the films are definitely not for everyone, some may just find them films about utterly confused & screwed youths of Japan; where you may actually find a this kinda rare celluloid treat with this level of complexity & disturbing structure once in a lifetime.