Review of Tokyo Sonata (2008) by Lin W — 10 Oct 2009
A radical departure from the usual norm of J-horror genre, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's unexpected detour on venturing family drama seems odd at first but his TOKYO SONATA is hardly a work-for-hire hack job.
Surprisingly, the film brilliantly deals its oft-told familiar theme of dysfunctional family and depression with Kurosawa's equally brilliant use of mood and atmosphere. The cast are excellent, particularly Teruyuki Kagawa who plays the jobless father chose to lie to his family while trying to rectify the depressing situation he is facing now.
The most unique aspect about this film is how Kurosawa paints a painful and sometimes darkly ironical look at jobless people handle their daily routines day-by-day, queuing up for free lunch as well as waiting in line to secure any job position.
It's a subtle drama that is emotionally heartfelt, until the final third act is suddenly shifted tone into a bizarre sort of broad comedy (the one that involves a desperate thief) and a rather unsatisfying conclusion that feels particularly incomplete.
This review of Tokyo Sonata (2008) was written by Lin W on 10 Oct 2009.
Tokyo Sonata has generally received very positive reviews.
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