Departures

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John L This is a beautifully crafted motion picture about the sacredness of death rituals. These rituals include the preparation of the body of the deceased and a profound focus on the family connections to the deceased. Its is meditative and, I think, will give the viewer a different (and much more fulfilling) understanding of death. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Daniel C. M A very beautiful movie, both in appearance and in it's contents. Great sound design and direction makes for very atmospheric and meaningful shots, coupled with the amazing story with great and eternal themes, this is one of the best Japanese movies ever made. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/25/25 Full Review Q A Proof that the greatest films are those that capture the incredibly nuanced emotions that thread the mundane. No loud explosions, special effects, or ridiculous plots. Just purposeful and compelling storytelling. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/08/25 Full Review Areli A Absolutamente bella, una de mis peliculas favoritas Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/30/25 Full Review Dean O My favorite foreign film. The touching scenes and dealing with the sensitive subject of death. How a man mistakenly applies for job that he thought was something else. A man scorned for working that kind of job, but how he overcame their scorn and became respected as a professional who treated the deceased with the upmost respect and care. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/24 Full Review dave s A cellist living in Tokyo, Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) is forced to return to his hometown when funding is pulled from his orchestra. Unbeknownst to his wife, he accepts a position that involves preparing the deceased for their final departure, leading him to reevaluate his life and, perhaps more importantly, his relationships with those around him. Departures is a languid, meditative film, meticulously directed and beautifully shot – every shot is perfectly framed and expertly blocked. The characters all resonate in some way, regardless of their views on Daigo's profession or their own responses to death. It is a moving and impactful film that, despite the subject matter, is never overly sentimental or maudlin. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Departures

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