Still Walking (2008)

Still Walking: Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. With Hiroshi Abe, Yui Natsukawa, You, Kazuya Takahashi. A family gathers together for a commemorative ritual whose nature only gradually becomes clear.

“u0026quot;Still Walkingu0026quot; aka u0026quot;Aruitemo Aruitemou0026quot; Yet another superb delivery from Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda who gave us u0026quot;Nobody Knowsu0026quot; in 2004. Itu0026#39;s like weu0026#39;re eavesdropping on a private family reunion event. Central to the story is from the viewpoint of the second son, Ryota at age 40, going home to his parentsu0026#39; house via public transport with his new wife, a widow, and her 10 year old son from previous marriage. Yes, he doesnu0026#39;t own a car like his sister and brother in law. Heu0026#39;s actually wary about hiding the fact that he doesnu0026#39;t have a substantial job and asks his wife not to breathe a word at the family occasion. His parents will be disappointed, especially his father who has counted on the second son to take on the family medical clinic business and be a doctor rather than any other trade – since the eldest died 15 years ago. Ryota has u0026#39;imprisonedu0026#39; himself by these expectations which he is unable to, and frankly does not want to, fulfill. Underneath the pleasant bantering with his mother, we can tell he is struggling to find himself, make peace with himself and go on with his life. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWriter-director-editor Koreedau0026#39;s passion provided us a close look (ever so casually, unhurried at its own pace so we get to be familiarized with each member of the family) on how a Japanese family might function on such a reunion gathering. We are put at ease watching mother and daughter preparing food in the kitchen, the whole family huddled around the meal table, the spontaneous exchanges. By and by, subtle clues are displayed and we may see the other side to each personu0026#39;s personality and hidden desires. Then there are pause moments to relish some family coziness or mother-son cordial exchanges. The storyline is far from u0026#39;flatu0026#39; at its leisurely pace: u0026quot;familiarity breeds contemptu0026quot; or u0026quot;absence makes the heart grows fonderu0026quot; – either could be true. As the evening goes on, more aspects surface – be it mother, father, son, daughter in law, or grandson – we share their sentiments, satisfied or empathized.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Still Walkingu0026quot; is a rich film. We are fortunate to experience it with so many levels rendered to us. I appreciate the reverence paid to the traditional family ritual of honoring the dead. Yes, a chance for a family outing, seeing Ryota and his u0026#39;newu0026#39; family – wife and stepson – together is encouraging. The u0026#39;yellow butterfliesu0026#39; folklore is heartening. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film also brings to mind quotes from Louise L. Hayu0026#39;s book, u0026quot;Heart Thoughts – A Treasury of Inner Wisdomu0026quot; on forgiveness (page 90): u0026quot;We do not have to know how to forgive. All we have to do is be willing to forgive. The Universe will take care of the how.u0026quot; And on happiness (page 94): u0026quot;Happiness is feeling good about yourself.u0026quot; u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe theme music by Gonchichi is just right for the mood and state of inner peace – its guitar playing chords and melodic strains is quietly serene. What a soothing melody, giving the film a resigned, calming, happy with himself again leisurely tempo – simply apt to the story of u0026quot;Still Walking.u0026quot; Visit the official site u0026#39;www.aruitemo.comu0026#39; and you can listen to the music and check out u0026#39;Directoru0026#39;s Statementu0026#39; with Koreeda talking about his film.”