This movie has got a very simple storyline.
The story is almost predictable BUT this is really a film worth paying $10 for. Watch it and you'll understand why it deserves an Oscar :)
Apparently, this film is ten years in making.
The main lead learnt the cello till he could play like a professional and was also being taught the art of 'encoffinment' from a mortician.
Ryoko Hirosue (廣末涼子) should be no stranger to those who went through the J-Pop days and this is the first time i am seeing her on the big screen.
I used to watch quite a bit of Japanese drama when i was much younger, seeing familiar actors makes me feel that i've really aged a lot... *big sighhh* :p
Throughout the movie whenever the male lead played the cello, I kept wondering how can he act like as though he can really play the cello... And after reading in Wiki that he learnt the cello because of this movie, i must say i am truly impressed.
I really enjoyed the parts where they show how they prepared / cleansed / beautified the deceased in front of the family. It is such a peaceful & respectful ritual that will simply touch your heart. And this feeling is amplified towards the end, where they showed how some irresponsible undertakers can really be sloppy with their job.
And in case anyone thinks that this movie is scary, with all the casketing/coffin/rituals/dead etc. It is totally not and i don't think anyone will develop a sense of fear at all while watching this movie.
I am a person who shudders at the thought of death.
I don't know if anyone of you feel the same but when i think about death, it gives me a really strange feeling and i hate the feeling of 'uncertainty' after death. But strangely while watching this film, this feeling did not come to me at all.
And actually come to think about it, uncertainty is everywhere.
We don't even know what will happen tomorrow, why bother about something that we have totally no control over. We really should live life as it is and enjoy breathing while we can :)