Tokyo Sonata Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Tokyo Masterpiece

Closer in look and feel to Yasujiro Ozu's mid 50's quiet masterpieces than his namesake's sweeping epics or even his own more familiar horror/slasher films, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's depiction of a family in crisis has the power to move people all over the world.

It's set in Tokyo and is totally Japanese in look and manner, but the story is happening in similar towns, cities and families all over the world - or at least wherever people rely on paternalistic companies to define themselves or American foreign policy to protect themselves.

There may be one plot too many stopping this from being the landmark film it wants to be, but don't let that put you off. Invest a couple of hours and you'll be nourished by food for thought for a long time.

We are all either suffering or in denial.Tokyo Sonata is proof that the problems, worries, concerns and dark thoughts you have are part of the universal pain we all experience and the only coping mechanism is to reach out and share the pain with friends and family.

Toyko? Anytown.

Absorbing. Rounded likeable characters. Fascinating to see effect of China on its near neighbour. Streets scenes straight out of a Ghibli. The Toyko setting adds interest but the story will resonate in any UK city.

One small Thelma&Louise-esque section that doesn't quite work. Overall both enjoyable & worthwhile.