031_One_Movie_Punch_After_The_Storm_2017

Today’s movie is “After the Storm” (2016), an independent Japanese family drama centered around Ryota (Hiroshi Abe), a former novelist and current private detective struggling with a gambling addiction, paying child support to his ex-wife, Kyôko (Yôko Maki), dealing with the death of his estranged father, worrying about his mother (Kilin Kiki), and working at being a father to his son, Shingo (Taiyô Yoshizawa). The film debuted in 2016 and had a limited release last year in the United States.

Hirokazu Kore-eda wrote the film, crafting a script that genuinely unfolds and unpacks the characters and their relationships in the days before a typhoon is set to reach the mainland. Kore-eda does a great job giving you enough background to give you a sense of each character, but with each new conflict and struggle, particularly with Ryota, you begin to see subtle details that make you re-evaluate everyone and every situation. Hiroshi Abe turns Ryota into a lovable, well-meaning person, if hopelessly flawed.

I was particularly struck by the relationship between Ryota and his mother. Kilin Kiki gives a truly remarkable performance, a perfect foil for Ryota, someone who knows him intimately as his mother, but still struggling to understand herself after losing her husband. Even when she is in the background, she makes her presence known and affects the characters.

In addition to the quality performances and script, however, are excellent locations, not only giving a wide swath of Japanese urban life, but also keeping a pedestrian feel to the story. I also very much enjoyed the music selections, which always augment the scene and particularly the emotion within that scene. Even the filters help define the tone.

“After The Storm” (2016) is exquisite and deserved an Oscar nomination, whether in 2016 or for this year given the limited release. It has a solid script and great performances, and wastes very little. It is rare to watch a film this subtle, playful and genuine that puts emotion over resolution, realism over desire. If you are looking to escape for a couple hours into a family drama that will warm your heart and challenge your perspective, this is the film for you.

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (CERTIFIED)

Metacritic: 84

One Movie Punch: 9.2/10

Podcast: onemoviepunch.libsyn.com/episode-031-after-the-storm-2016

“After The Storm” (2016) is not rated and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Episode 031 - After the Storm (2016)

Episode 352 - Roma (2018)

Episode 351 - Dumplin' (2018)

Episode 350 - 5 Star Christmas (2018)

Episode 349 - Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018)

Episode 348 - Crossroads: One Two Jaga (2018)

Episode 347 - Battle (2018)

Episode 346 - Time Share (2018)

Episode 345 - The World is Yours (2018)

Episode 344 - Rajma Chawal (2018)

Episode 343 - Happy as Lazzaro (2018)

Episode 342 - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Episode 341 - Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018)

Episode 340 - Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)

Episode 339 - A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018)

Episode 338 - A Christmas Prince (2017)

Episode 337 - It (2017)

Episode 336 - Nothing to Hide (2018)

Episode 335 - Creed II (2018)

Episode 334 - The Shape of Water (2017)

Episode 333 - Phantom Thread (2017)

Joseph Dobzynski, Jr.

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