This review was first published in the Tufts University Daily on September 28, 2009 (here). I've made a few minor corrections.
Still Walking (Aruitemo aruitemo) (2008) - dir. Hirokazu Koreeda
Every fall season, when the heyday of the summer blockbuster
is over, theaters are flooded with “serious” films. From historical epics to quirky
indie dramedies, it is difficult to separate films of genuine quality from
shallow prestige pieces. It is even more unfortunate that most moviegoers will
probably overlook a mini-masterpiece like “Still Walking” (2009) because of its
apparent lack of excitement and drama.
The film, the newest from writer-director Hirokazu Koreeda
(“Nobody Knows,” 2004), is a slow-paced, meticulously composed slice of family life.
The story follows a modern Japanese family over the course of two days as they
gather together to remember the death of their oldest son, who drowned twelve
years earlier while saving someone’s life. Long buried grievances and
generational tensions slowly rise to the surface as the family members go about
their everyday routines. However, there are no long, emotional speeches and no
taut confrontations. Mr. Koreeda instead opts for a more realistic, and
ultimately more effective, technique of focusing on the little exchanges and
quiet interactions between the characters. The cumulative power that the film
achieves through this method emerges so naturally and so quietly that it doesn’t
seem at all forced or contrived.