This movie was exceptionally moving. A exquisite piece of Art by Hirokazu Koreeda, although the outcome is off of his usual genre I do think it convey his essence.
It's very rare, perhaps disturbing, mesmerizing movie.
The actress does a terrific work in interpreting a living doll, her roll was extremely believable.
The developing of the plot may be obscure for some people (I've read some harsh reviews about this movie) but I resolved to think that people CAN'T get the real meaning of the history: explore how people interact at a deep emotional level. The idea that someone's respiration could insufflate life to another person is a very intimate form of interaction and satisfaction.
All characters, whether their gender, they are alone.
For female characters, the keywords are "empty" and "absence". For the male, are "substitution" and "perversion." The men of the film didn't go straight to the object of his desire, but they choose alternative solutions. They are perverted men who want the death, not life.
These are the characters that KORE-EDA tried to to portray. It's a film about the solitude of urban life.
Overall, I think It's a worth-watching movie. You'll never forget it if you can find the meaning through the multiple metaphors inside and apply it to your own life. This is a philosophical essay... real poetry. A stirring rendition and superb images.
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I decided to watch this movie on a whim not knowing what to expect, little did I know, that 2 hours later, I would end up being left mesmerized. This film is not for everyone (a word of caution there is strong sexual content and nudity), some may even call it disturbing, but if you look past it, you'll see and hear a beautiful story being told right in front of your eyes and ears. The directing, acting, casting, and music painted a canvas so breathtaking, it would almost be a shame not to call it a masterpiece. The ending was so poignant it left me feeling something I've rarely ever felt before, the feeling of breathlessness.
This is one of those films that you watch once in a lifetime (as reflected in the scoring I prescribed) not because it isn't worth rewatching, but because you'll still remember it, way down the line.
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Air Doll doesn't try to be too hard. It doesn't wallow you into questioning your existence or does it try to be sentimental. Instead, it gives you a different view on life -- from someone who is trying to understanding it and "living" it for the first time. It is interesting to see what Nozomi discovers as she begins her life. She sees the good, the beauty, the fun but also the sadness, the ugliness and the pain -- which essentially what life is.
Doona Bae is truly an absolute bae. Her eyes alone act. Her eyes alone shine. Not only does she look like a doll but she looks brings life to it, just like her character. The fact that she delivers all her lines in Japanese (despite being Korean and I don't know the extent of her fluency) impressed me. The slow yet precise delivery reflects her character's discovery with communication, language and the world. It is perfect.
Air Doll has a more urban setting but doesn't mean that we get to cramped, suffocating skyscrapers. We still see small apartments and low-rise buildings which to me, always feels much more simpler and compliments the film's overall tone. Once again, the colors are nostalgic as much as they evoke a sense of calmness. It's visually colorful but not a shark vibrancy. I'm in love with the soundtrack. Just the way that the sound soothes you as you watch Nozomi discover life's meaning is so satisfying.
Finally, Koreeda's attention to details never ever fails to impress me. You'd never think that simple words such as "I'm off!" would have so much significant, that a mere "birthday" would mean so much or that a "plug" would symbolize something so much. There are (side) characters that others might find unnecessary but I find their presence vital because they highlight the different ways that people live, that people are which is essential in the film's message.
Once again, Hirokazu Koreeda depicts a simple story with such power.
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This review may contain spoilers
When I picked up the movie Kuki Ningyo (Air Doll), the story about an inflatable sex doll that comes to life and goes out exploring the world when her owner is at work each day, I thought I was in for a cute, light-hearted, quirky comedy...BOY was I wrong about that!While Air Doll does have its quirky moments, and Korean actress Doona Bae is extremely adorable as Nozomi, the sex doll come to life, this was much much more than a light comedy. While following Nozomi's search for the meaning for living and happiness, she discovers the world and people around her are just as much in confusion about the very same things as she is. When she proclaims to a lonely old man that she is "empty inside" (as she's full of air), he sadly notes that a malady of that kind is not such a rare thing for people.
As she searches deeper and deeper into the answers for her existence, we see Nozomi's wide- eyed innocence slowly turn to sadness and detachment as she is faced with the reality of "real life" and as if to punctuate how bitter living can be, we are also given insight into the people around her, where we realize Nozomi is just one of a thousand people coping with their own personal hardships from day to day.
Without giving away any spoilers I have to say that the movie ended on SUCH a somber tone that when it was over, I just could NOT shake off this feeling of utter loneliness! That's quite a movie to make me feel like that! Ahhhh, man, I'm depressed! Somebody better give me a comedy, QUICK! Time to re-watch "Summer Time-Machine Blues" to pick me up!
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The cast I thought did a good job, especially the main protagonist. She managed to find that border line between having the physicality of a plastic doll versus having one of a robot. Many others who would have tried, but only needed up looking like the latter. I loved her childish inncence, joy, appreciation and curiosity for all that she experienced. The acting was decent, but I feel like there could have been more depth on all the characters .
The music for me wasn't anything particularly memorable. But it fit the movie... laid - back and unrushed.
I don't think I would consider re-watching this. It's one of those movies where you feel like you saw everything there was to see the first time. Nothing too memorable. Maybe some good truthful quotes, but nothing eye-opening. gives us a peek into people's lives, how empty they can be, and also gives us a peek into some of their true colors.
Overall, I wasn't particularly impressed with the plot. So much more could have been done throughout, while some of the less insignificant scenes done without. I've seen worse, but I've also seen better.
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This review may contain spoilers
UHMM is all that i have to say.
Reading the plot and one other review, I went in thinking that this would be a love story about a doll who came to life and would develop a loving relationship with her owner,,,, but boy was I wrong. Firstly I want to say don't be fooled this is NOT a love story but instead a film about a doll who grew a heart and who is now trying to figure out how to live daily human life while her owner is away at work. There is apparently a love story here that i read on wiki (i didn't pick up on it), while working at a movie store she meets another doll who grew a heart and spent his free time teaching her things about human life and they supposedly were in a romantic relationship but they did not come across at all tbh. they seemed like two people who worked together, while one spent his time teaching the dumb girl things. Secondly, this was extremely boring, i had to skip parts. I get the point of the whole storyline, learning what makes a human a human but it felt like everyday was the same. The idea is amazing but the way they went about it was BLEH. I wish they would've made the relationship more CLEAR, more drama, literally anything. The part where the owner finds out about his air doll coming to life, his reaction was barely. he seemed to accept it right away which is like come on... it felt like a waste of time just for the ending to be like yup im turning back into a doll now. i really wanted to like this but I cant. It made zero sense and i found myself saying "what is the point?" or "where's the drama?". this easily could've been a 10 min film tbh, def did not need to be an hour +.Was this review helpful to you?
