Plot: TOKYO SONATA is a portrait of a seemingly ordinary Japanese family. The father who abruptly loses his job conceals the truth from his family; the eldest son in college hardly returns home; the youngest son furtively takes piano lessons without telling his parents; and the mother, who knows deep down that her role is to keep the family together, cannot find the will to do so. From the exterior, all is normal and the same. But somehow, a single, unforeseeable chasm has appeared within the family, only to spread ever so quietly and quickly to disintegrate them.
In the hands of world famous director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, known for his thrillers and movies of suspense, this story will probe the dark side of human nature and the social problems that confront contemporary Japan. Kurosawa’s portrayal of the breakdown and redemption of Japan’s “ordinary family” will be every bit as gripping as his previous works.
Script is developed by Kurosawa and Sachiko Tanaka from an original by Aussie Max Mannix (“Dance of the Dragon”).
Considered as one of the Cannes most unexpected surprises 'Tokyo Sonata' won the jury prize in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival and became the first movie from Japan to receive that honor.
On the 3rd Asian Film Awards Tokyo Sonata won Best Film and Best Screenwriter. And also it was awarded best film at the Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema.
«Considering each aspect individually, this is a picture of outstanding quality, from the strong cast to the photography and haunting soundtrack to the acute character studies.»
«then again, horror and humor are both exercises in tension, and Kurosawa demonstrates his understanding of that with true skill here.»
Twitch, by Todd Brownsource:
http://twitchfilm.net/reviews/2008/09/tokyo-sonata-review.php
«... this is an elegant, insightful piece of work that stands among the best films he has made throughout his career»
Variety, By DEREK ELLEYsource:
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117937179.html?categoryid=31&cs=1
«Though there’s nothing here that hasn’t been dealt with in other Japanese movies, pic benefits considerably from its pitch-perfect performances — especially Kagawa as the diminutive, wild-eyed paterfamilias, and the graceful Koizumi»
«There’s a slightly uncomfortable tonal shift from the ironically subdued to the vaguely screwball, but thematically, the film remains remarkably sure-footed, offering a thought-provoking critique of stereotypes, gender roles and archaic tradition within Japanese society ...»
«... the scenario unravels after a shopping-mall encounter pitches the family into turmoil, and the restoration of harmony at Inowaki’s piano audition feels unwarrantedly cosy.»
«Dinnertime revelations like this lead the viewer to an admirable realization: Kurosawa is growing up, modulating his formula, successfully moving into Magnolia-like domestic-meltdown territory.»
«Teruyuki Kawaga effectively elicits pity and distaste, while former pop idol Kyoko Koizumi holds off sentimentality with her role as a mother who refuses to conform to the role of family tent-pole.»
«All you know about three-act structure is going to be useless in watching this film, even though, like many sonatas, it has three movements.»
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Tokyo Sonata ( Tokyo sonata ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - United Kingdom ]
