Warm Water Under a Red Bridge

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Chris J MOVIE REVIEW Warm Water Under a Red Bridge (Akai hashi no shita no nurui mizu) – Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Year Released: 2001, 2023 Film Movement digitally restored Runtime: 1h 59m Director(s): Shôhei Imamura Writer(s): Yo Henmi (novel,) Shôhei Imamura, Daisuke Tengan, Motofumi Tomikawa (screenplay) Cast: Kôji Yakusho, Misa Shimizu Language: Japanese with English Subtitles Where To Watch: opens theatrically at Bam Rose Cinemas on March 31, 2023, with additional markets to follow from Film Movement Classics RAVING REVIEW: Director Shôhei Imamura's swan song, WARM WATER UNDER A RED BRIDGE, weaves a spellbinding tale about a middle-aged man who embarks on a journey in a coastal village following a meeting with a woman possessing extraordinary powers. This enchanting film mesmerizes viewers with its seamless blend of magical realism, sensuality, and humor, offering a thoroughly enjoyable and liberating experience. I can promise you; it will be a film you won't soon forget! The story centers on a once-successful man struggling with life and estranged from his family. He journeys to a remote fishing town, searching for his future. He stumbles upon a captivating woman with a remarkable secret I can't quite explain here. The villagers are convinced that her peculiar condition nurtures the river and its marine life, eliciting admiration and unease. As the man's fascination with her grows, he sets out on a new path. Their passionate relationship allows the director to explore themes of desire, imagination, and the pursuit of happiness in the most unlikely places. Imamura crafts a multi-dimensional portrayal of this female character, who embodies the essence of life and the power of nature. The water motif is more than clear between the seaside community, mirroring the evolution of the human spirit. The film is a hopeful experience; while I haven't seen Imamura's other films, I've noticed that this seems to be the outlier in that narrative. At the heart of this unconventional romance are two extraordinary characters: this humble man who reinvents himself after losing his job and the fascinating woman with vitality and wonder. This is a tale of two films, both taking place within the same world, from a serious drama to an absurd "love story" that will leave you laughing, among other things. Imamura demonstrates his prowess in employing a range of cinematic techniques to tell this tale, from dreamlike sequences to semi-documentary-style representations of fishing scenes, all while maintaining authenticity. Though the film might seem deceptively simple initially, it blossoms and deepens as the story progresses. WARM WATER UNDER A RED BRIDGE is a visual experience overflowing with magical realism, eroticism, and comedy. Ultimately, the man's quest for material riches evolves into a search for happiness and fulfillment, which he discovers in his newfound freedom and connection with the mesmerizing woman. In conclusion, this film presents a charming and atypical love story that shares the virtues of individuality and the wonders of life's peculiarities. For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews. I'm always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Seemingly Imamura's weirdest and least essential film, but the cast of characters is so lovable that it has to be enjoyed. And what a climax. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member This is perhaps one of the strangest Japanese movies that I have seen but it works nonetheless. The characters are well defined and the story line turns the unbelievable into the plausible. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Imamura's movies always have something amazing and this is not the exception. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Strange, funny and cool romance. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member orgasm with a lot of water. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Warm Water Under a Red Bridge

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