Still Walking

Aruitemo aruitemo (Still Walking) is an interesting study of a Japanese family's reunion which is reminiscent in many ways to tv's "The Royale Family".

Just like in the Manchester sit com nothing really happens when the Yokoyamas meet, yet,underneath the veneer of Japanese politeness, relationships are complex, resentments are hidden away and everything is governed by respect and tradition .

Ryo (Hiroshi Abo) is the middle aged son of retired doctor Kyoshi Yokoyama (Yoshio Harada) and Toshiko Yokoyama (a wonderful Kirin Kiki). He has married a widow with a small son, and feels second best when compared to his elder brother Junpei, who died over a decade ago, saving the life of a child.

Over the course of two days, Ryo has to deal with the resentments of his father, the grief and bitterness of his outwardly benign mother and the nervousness experienced by his new wife in the potentially difficult family meeting.

If this was handled in a US or British film, then there would be huge rows and much wringing of hands, but in this beautifully observed Koreeda movie, every emotion and family slight is restrained, controlled and ever so recognisable from family gatherings we have all experienced throughout time, and as a piece of cinema it is incredibly powerful.

I loved it even though the film was slightly too long, but the performances, especially a pivotal, heartbreaking turn by Kirin Kiki (pic) made up for the extra 30 minutes running time.

8/10

Strangely the film was advertised as being titled as WOW Still Walking by the Theatre Clwyd web site......and yes I found the dark calm cinema rather relaxing!