So I went to my first film from this year's line-up and saw Where Are You
Basic synopsis: Ryo is a poor boy living in a single room shack in Japan. His mother is sick and on her death bed while his father has abandoned the two of them awhile ago. After getting fired from his part-time job at a local convenience store and facing hospital bills and funeral costs for his mother, Ryo resorts to stealing as a means to survive in Japan.
This was a depressing film, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Throughout the entire movie, there is no hope at all for the main character; everything about him and his situation is tragic. The director, Kobayashi Masahiro, has a great directing style - from the simplest scenes of Ryo scarfing down a bowl of instant noodles to Ryo sitting on a bench with his head down at the hospital - the director is able to show his audience exactly who Ryo is and dark world he faces at a very young age. The script, with its minimal lines, is very fitting for the film and may even strengthen the overall mood and tone of the storyline; the audience always knows what's going on. The script really helps to articulate just how lonely Ryo's life. While Where Are You? doesn't necessarily pull at the heart strings (I wasn't balling my eyes out and I'm a huge crybaby when it comes to sad dramas), it left me feeling very sad and depressed that such situations do occur for some children.
Overall, a good movie. Probably wouldn't see it again though... it's just too heavy for the heart and mind.
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