In the west, I feel like knowledge of Isao Takahata exclusively extends to GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, and yet he has one of the richest bodies of work in cinematic history. Takahata had that rare ability to surprise with every new film. It was always hard to know just what he would do next. Following the tragedy of FIREFLIES and the heartfelt meditation of ONLY YESTERDAY, he made this goofy little slice of slice comedy and it's among the best comedies I've ever seen.
If you need a main dramatic throughline, then MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS will disappoint. This is an episodic piece, unashamedly adapted from a newspaper strip, and to be honest, the film benefits from it. I like the episodic approach because a single throughline would likely end up being cliched and sappy in this instance. However, there is depth to the gag parade and moments of poignancy that never feel unearned or out of place. It's a very real movie with flawed characters in an everyday setting. If I had seen it as a teenage weeb, i would have dismissed it, throwing on PRINCESS MONONOKE immediately after. As an adult, it all rings very true.
If you need a main dramatic throughline, then MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS will disappoint. This is an episodic piece, unashamedly adapted from a newspaper strip, and to be honest, the film benefits from it. I like the episodic approach because a single throughline would likely end up being cliched and sappy in this instance. However, there is depth to the gag parade and moments of poignancy that never feel unearned or out of place. It's a very real movie with flawed characters in an everyday setting. If I had seen it as a teenage weeb, i would have dismissed it, throwing on PRINCESS MONONOKE immediately after. As an adult, it all rings very true.