It's 3 hours long, the story develops slowly and it's Japanese with subtitles. You've been warned!
But, unlike so many of this year's best picture nominees that may be more fun to watch but are otherwise forgettable, this superbly written drama tells a story that will stay with you for a very long time. It does require patience but, if you let it, it will pull you in with a beautifully portrayed story about love, grief, self doubt, guilt and redemption.
Much of the film revolves around a production of Chekov's Uncle Vanya which at first seems a distraction until we come to realize that the play echos the themes of the film and also serves as a catharsis which seems to catch the protagonist off guard as well as it does us. If you're unfamiliar with the play, you may want to read a plot summary before seeing the film.
But, unlike so many of this year's best picture nominees that may be more fun to watch but are otherwise forgettable, this superbly written drama tells a story that will stay with you for a very long time. It does require patience but, if you let it, it will pull you in with a beautifully portrayed story about love, grief, self doubt, guilt and redemption.
Much of the film revolves around a production of Chekov's Uncle Vanya which at first seems a distraction until we come to realize that the play echos the themes of the film and also serves as a catharsis which seems to catch the protagonist off guard as well as it does us. If you're unfamiliar with the play, you may want to read a plot summary before seeing the film.