Kikujiro

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DanTheMan 2 I'm continually amazed by Takeshi Kitano's batting average, his ability to fashion both laughs and heartache in a single instant is unparalleled, Kikujiro is no exception to this rule. A film imbued with serene beauty, presenting a series of increasingly poignant tales, yet so enamoured with itself that it had me wiping away tears of both laughter and sorrow. The film risks tipping headlong into sentimentality more than once, but every time it comes close, Kitano quickly gets the film back on track, leaving us with the emotional effect but effectively stripping it of sugary excess, filtered through his distant and deadpan touch. It's a film that prompts real emotional engagement because it cares for characters that it is happy to paint in imperfect colours, allowing us to warm to them throughout the story rather than pushing them on us in a cheap hard sell. Kitano structures the film as a collection of almost stand-alone vignettes, narratively linked sketches whose comical thrust is sometimes underscored by a touching element of sadness, each of which contributes to our understanding of the two lead characters and their fitfully evolving relationship. His direction is sublime, capturing the loneliness of its two main characters with beautiful ease, his playfully surrealist leanings even more pronounced here than in his previous films. Combined with another enchanting score by Joe Hisaishi, with its gorgeous blend of strings and piano, Kikujiro paints a beautiful take on alienation and guardianship. Brilliantly acted, well-written, achingly hilarious and featuring some truly stunning photography, a bittersweet symphony of unaffected profundity and voluminous emotional depth that hits all the right notes. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review МемыУмирают S I like the part when he slaps random kid Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Mario S Kikujiro is a poignant and intimate portrait of loneliness and companionship that transcends cultural and language barriers. Through the unlikely pairing of a young boy and a middle-aged drifter, the film explores themes of loss, redemption, and the enduring power of human connection. Kitano's masterful performance as the titular character is both comedic and deeply affecting, as he navigates the complexities of his own life while forming an unexpected bond with the young protagonist. The film's understated beauty and emotional depth make it a truly memorable cinematic experience. A surprising twist at the end adds an extra layer of complexity to the character and the overall story. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/31/24 Full Review isla s This is a film about a young child (Masao) accompanied on a journey to meet his mother. He's accompanied by a rather angry and grumpy man (Kikujiro), who barely knows the child by all accounts. It's a bit random and certainly pretty quirky but I also thought it had quite a dreamlike feel to it, with soft lighting at times and some scenes depicting what appear to be dream type sequences, with symbolic figures from, I assume, Japanese culture doing choreographed moves and the like. It definitely has an arty feel to it at times. I found the grumpy old man quite amusing, even though most people likely wouldn't - he isn't someone you'd want to annoy, or you'd never hear the end of it, that's for sure. The two main characters seem very much like fish out of the proverbial water, given their clothes and looks. The music played helps to add to the emotional feel of some scenes - it adds a feeling of affection to the two main characters. Perhaps the film is a little overly cheesy on ocassions but I can't say it really detracted too much for me. Kikujiro may be mostly unlikeable but there's something appealing about the way the two of them muddle on somehow. I liked seeing the lighter side of the mans character, when he attempts to 'entertain'. It was surprisingly funny at times, although also somewhat sad too. Yes, I'd recommend this film. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review William L If you're reading a synopsis of Kikujiro, it seems like pretty trditional territory - a group of social outcasts banding together in the face of rejection. But there is enough weirdness, genuine affection, and Takeshi Kitano's awkward running to make Kikujiro a welcome twist on a relatively familiar story, with a particular emphasis taken on by the excessive value associated with a pristine social image in Japanese culture. Normal people are the enemy (in this case, quite literally) and you can only trust your fellow offbeat outcasts. Soothe your emotional vulnerabilities with charming, strange games with people you barely known down by the side of the river. (3.5/5) Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/29/22 Full Review Matt V A beautiful, soulful, movie. One of my all time favourites. I don't see how anyone could not love it. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/21 Full Review Read all reviews

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