Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageJapanese Story (2003)
Director: Sue Brooks
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
This begins unpromisingly, setting the scene for an odd couple rom com. Geologist Collette reluctantly accompanies Japanese businessman Tsunashima on a field trip to the Western Australian desert. Then they break down in the middle of nowhere and take a turn into scarier territory. After which something still less expected and more nightmarish occurs, and the film transforms into an intelligent, insightful and very affecting study of guilt and grief. Collette comes into her own quite splendidly in the second half, the sheer intensity of her peformance matching the almost hypnotically dreamlike quality of the images and pacing. Taking its cue from her character, the narrative at times virtually ceases to advance, pausing to meditate on the meaning (or absence of meaning) of what's happened. Fascinating.Author: GA
Cast & crew
Director: Sue Brooks
Producer: Sue Maslin
Cast: Toni Collette, Otaro Tsunashima, Matthew Dyktynski, Lynette Curran, Yumiko Tanaka, Kate Atkinson full cast
Rated: 15
Duration: 107 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now