After the Storm

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Leprechaun K @LeprechaunKing Mar 24, 2026 Kore-eda is the modern day Ozu. This movie again proves he is a master filmmaker. It is visually stunning and the execution is nothing short of excellence. See more H Y @HoneyYumYum Mar 20, 2026 Many nuanced and complex emotions are explored throughout the film, but the one that stood out is the pain of unfulfilled potential. Ryota had the potential to be a recognized writer, to have a loving family, and to be a good father and role model to a happy son. And yet, through his own choices, here he is: a gambling addict, a dishonest detective, a stumbling father. How can he accept life as it is when he remembers so vividly what it was or what it could be? He struggles with grieving for what was and what could have been. And in a way, all the other characters do as well. "I wonder why it is that men can't love the present. Either they just keep chasing whatever it is they've lost, or they keep dreaming beyond their reach." With sensitivity, the talented actors and beautiful cinematography explore these feelings until the very end, when they leave us with a calm and hopeful note. See more Kevin L @Lakeman Feb 2, 2024 This is not a film that's so typical of others I've seen by the brilliant Hirokazu Koreeda. It doesn't have the stylish atmosphere and pure passions of his great trilogy. There's not the tension of "The Third Murder" or "Maborosi". And the pacing is not like "Broker" or "The Shoplifters". But comparisons are largely odious. What is there is the story of a floundering detective, of sorts, trying to hard to stay above water and get back in good with his ex and their son. "After the Storm" is very much a slowburn. Packing was something of an issue. But I did appreciate the outright authenticity of the family and the details Koreeda provides to flesh out the lead character Ryota and his mother, Yoshiko, played with impressive skill and dedication by Hiroshi Abe and Kirin Kiki, respectively. Ryota is clearly a very decent guy, loving father, with still strong feelings for ex-wife Kyoko. But there's something of the screw-up in him, try as he might. I like how Koreeda's ending had the family all together, post typhoon, chasing down lottory tickets, with the sense that some reconciling has occurred and there's more light to go with this sweetness that followed. 3.4 stars See more isla s @RT89656869 Sep 3, 2022 This is a somewhat thoughtful, slow paced Japanese family drama film. Its certainly not action packed but its not entirely boring either. The characters are nice enough and its a relatively easy watch but I'm not sure there's much else I can say about it really. If your a fan of Japanese films, then I'd recommend it, otherwise not so much. See more Aug 18, 2020 After the Storm can come across as mundane in storytelling and dialogue for much of its length, but a terrific final act and a wonderful performance from Kirin Kiki truly encapsulates the entire feature and leaves it rather a wholesome experience. See more Jul 7, 2019 Grandma steals the show. But overall the movie felt a little bit incomplete See more Read all reviews

After the Storm

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