A quiet film filled with a sincerity that is charming and sweet. Hirokazu Kore-eda serves calmly the ordinary life and its stresses on a palatable entree. The narrative is simple and straightforward; a divorced father tries to maintain the relationships he has with his ex-wife and his son. What gives this film its personality, however, is through the way Kore-eda gracefully comments on the dreaming of what cannot be reached, the stubborn nature of accepting what is, and many other facets that make up the core of life. In a way, the direction and approach to the story reflects very well the reality of life, and the genuine and relatable aura of its characters emphasize that. The way the actors can easily capture their scenes just by moving through a slice-of-life story (their performances feeling true and sincere) make the characters easy to empathize with. The conversations between characters as well as the still shots of them looking out in the distance add to the film’s emotional weight. And it’s because of the film’s simple structure that these aspects are kept true as well as turns what seems to be a mundane direction into a beautifully realized drama.

As the film ends with our protagonist walking off and disappearing amidst the street filled with the strides of other people, it serves as a tender send-off for the protagonist’s story while also handing out the fact that there are many more living their own stories. But despite disappearing from the screen, after the storm, our protagonist still continues his life.

Watched 6/20/2021