Organizer: Canadian Japan Society
Cost: $8 for non-members
Pre-event estimate: 4 out of 5
Post-event rating: 4 out of 5
It is not a surprise that you will shed some tears when watching this movie: A young man reflects on his relationship with his parents as he takes care of his mother in her final journey of cancer treatment.
Like father like son, he leaves his mother behind to pursue his dream in Tokyo. His mother eventually has to give up her pension to support him while he fools around until he "grows up." It is touching to see him offering to take care his mother in Tokyo. The father also does a little of growing up at the end. He finally behaves like the head of the house when he steps up to address to the procession as the "head of the mourner" at the funeral.
I admire the mother's unselfish dedication to her family. At the same time, I feel sorry for her: She lives her life satisfying other people's wishes and needs. Only at the very end that she finds the courage to refuse further medical treatment and to express her unwillingness to see the father leave. To me, the saddest part of the movie is not the end of a cherished mother-son relationship, but a life journey that has not reached its potential. I cry at the end for the mother in this movie, and for my own grandmothers and mother.
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2 comments:
your review makes me want to watch the movie!
ice: Go rent/buy it! Unfortunately it's prob. easier to get your hand on a pirated version....
Jade: Well done with the review! You may want to celebrate the mother's strength and independence for moving out of the house twice. A huge undertaking even in 2008!
CHRIS
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