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Memories of Matsuko

Play trailer Poster for Memories of Matsuko 2006 2h 10m Comedy Drama Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
While combing through the belongings of his recently deceased aunt, nephew Sho (Eita) pieces together the crucial events that sank her life into a sea of bitterness. As a schoolteacher in her youth, Sho's aunt, Matsuko (Miki Nakatani), took the fall for her student's crime. Unable to shake the resulting stigma, she was forced to live on the street and entered into a series of abusive relationships. But a chance at happiness with an old flame gave her a sliver of hope.

Critics Reviews

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Russell Edwards Variety 01/13/2021
Helmer has a lot of cynical fun at his subject's expense along the way, but pic's bid for near-religious significance in the sentimental finale is as either a misfired joke or as phony as a 3,000 yen bill. Go to Full Review Anton Bitel Film4 06/10/2008
Rarely has human abjection looked so good - but in the end, all the whimsy outstays its welcome in this quirkily shallow offering. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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07/12/2021 Story of how sad a life can get, but shot with colorful Disney like scenes. See more 08/13/2020 This movie is overindulgent with its style, but extremely light on substance. It hopes the viewer gets enthralled by the thick layers of melodrama, but all the characters are flat and the plot is never thought provoking. The visuals are quite interesting and eye-catching at first, but they start outstaying their welcome pretty soon. The movie does offer one of the most cynical views of society I've ever seen in a piece of fiction. No one can be trusted; no one is willing to help a stranger in need. Even kids can be brutal killers in disguise. The only salvation possible for someone down on their luck is hoping for the sweet release of death. All in all a pretty miserable watching experience. See more 03/06/2020 Two words to summarize this movie would be 'grotesque' and 'humanism'. I felt exhausted while watching this, and that feeling comes from the suspense made by its contradictory form; La La Land-ish rosy elements, like fairy tale sky, and the story about extreme despair of a woman. It is absolutely disturbing but powerful piece. Very unique and amazing work. See more 08/04/2018 4-8-18 with Zhangs. Japanese movies are weird. See more 09/15/2017 It is difficult to express in words how extraordinary this movie is. Our interaction with other people may have a deep efffect, for good or for bad. I highly recomend this movie about the very sad life of a great women. See more 01/07/2017 The best movie that I have watched. Made me think deeply about love and life. YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS See more Read all reviews
Memories of Matsuko

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Tetsuya Nakashima

Director

Miki Nakatani

Matsuko Kawajiri

Yusuke Iseya

Yoichi Ryu

Eita Nagayama

Shô Kawajiri

Tetsuya Nakashima

Writer
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Memories of Matsuko

Memories of Matsuko (2006) Memories of Matsuko (2006) Memories of Matsuko (2006) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis While combing through the belongings of his recently deceased aunt, nephew Sho (Eita) pieces together the crucial events that sank her life into a sea of bitterness. As a schoolteacher in her youth, Sho's aunt, Matsuko (Miki Nakatani), took the fall for her student's crime. Unable to shake the resulting stigma, she was forced to live on the street and entered into a series of abusive relationships. But a chance at happiness with an old flame gave her a sliver of hope.
Director
Tetsuya Nakashima
Screenwriter
Tetsuya Nakashima
Production Co
Amuse Soft Entertainment
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Musical
Original Language
Japanese
Runtime
2h 10m