Here’s the truth: I loved Like Father, Like Son so much that I couldn’t wait to watch another one of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s other films. And so I came to this one.
Still Walking has the marks of Kore-eda’s other films: still about a middle-class family, still beautifully shot, still calm and quiet. This time round, the focus is centred on a family reunion of sorts. However, rather than it be an all-round happy occasion, this is the anniversary of when the family’s eldest son passed away. Ryota – the second son – brings along his new wife, whose own husband recently also passed away, and his stepson. Quite quickly, we come to realise that Ryota feels that he has always been second best to his brother, and even now he’s been dead for twelve years, they speak more highly of him than they do of their living son.
Before I mention anything else, I just wanted to share with you some beautiful concept art that was created for this film because it’s honestly so pure and beautiful:
It just feels so apt, and although it’s nothing in comparison to the film itself, it’s testament to the fact that such a beautiful picture was created purely for its release.
Anyway, time to stop gushing over a painting and start gushing over this film!
On the surface, this is just a quiet, peaceful look at an average Japanese family. But underneath the facade bubbles so many unsaid words, sadness and secrecy. Beautifully written and so complex, it made my poor little heart hurt several times throughout. And not always in the best way. It will, though, make you feel like calling your mother at the earliest convenience. That’s the power of it.
Kore-eda once again delivers a piece of pure, wonderful cinema. His films always have such presence and such charm, and this is no different. In fact, this one almost seems like a play in its script and the way it takes place over one 24 hour period, which is no bad thing. Better than Like Father, Like Son? I’d say so.
Kirin Kiki is just brilliant as usual – she is the heart of this film without a doubt. To be fair, each character is fully developed and perfectly thought out, and each performance captures exactly what it’s meant to. As they always do when being advise by such a wonderful director.
It’s hard to put into words how I feel after watching this, hence why this review is so short. It’s all so bittersweet.
I think I’m just going to sit and be quiet for a while.
Still Walking is available to stream on the BFI Player on Amazon in the UK.
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