Review of Shoplifters (2018) by Olivierpiel — 18 Feb 2019
I like my Japanese films as much as the next Western snob but I really had to give up 25 min in. I read critics comparing this to Ozu, Mike Leigh, the Italian neo-realists or even Bresson. However Ozu and Bresson use a much more focused and minimalist cinematography that convey a far superior poetry and art.
Some of the scenes feel as gratuitous and mostly used for shock-value for the Japanese middle-class audience (the introduction to the family home with the granny cutting toenails at the table is so ham-fisted than it becomes too farcical).
Other critics say that you have to wait for the second part to see resolution. If that is a case, then the director commits the number crime in art: boredom! As for the other comments on "humanism" (heart-wrenching etc.
..) and "naturalism" or "realism", these actually confirm the lack of intrinsic artistic value of this film since "mirroring the reality of those less fortunate" reeks of the most hypocritical impulse of the middle-class, pity and commiseration.
This review of Shoplifters (2018) was written by Olivierpiel on 18 Feb 2019.
Shoplifters has generally received very positive reviews.
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