Su-ki-da (2005)

This is a movie of quiet beauty. Of the awkwardness that keeps you from saying or doing things. Of the awkwardness that comes after you do do something, and then question whether it was the right thing or not.

The strength and charm of this movie is the actors' ability to say so much with so little. Both the younger and older actors did an amazing job.

Make sure you are ready for a slow-paced movie when you watch this. It will repay your patience several-fold.

There are only a few pieces of music in this, mostly variations on a theme, going from hesitant to lush.

Given that I just watched this, I'm not sure if I'll rewatch it soon. I adored it, so maybe in a few years.

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Some, if not most, Japanese movies have a slow paced, less dialogue format and gives more emphasis on the environment or the realistic emotion building that occurs. This movie in particular was so slow paced but very, very, very thrilling. I couldn't anticipate the next move that each character would do. It keeps you guessing. The movie made me wonder a lot. I felt both the characters' frustration, melancholy, confusion, and awkwardness. But above all the silence - the nonverbal messages were very realistic, something I could relate to. A lesson I learned was DON'T WAIT for things to happen thinking that you have the time in the World to say or do it. If you need to say it then say it because the brutal truth is that you may not be given the time to do or say them personally anymore. So don't take time for granted. Every second is precious, every moment is a treasure. If you truly love someone, then just say it or express it. Don't give yourself an excuse to regret or to ask "What if?"

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A thinking-person's movie!

I started watching this movie and noticed how SLOW it was...it was like having a toothache and the dentist looks in your mouth and just looks...and looks...and looks...

After observing the two, I wanted to tell her, "Tell him you like him!" but she didn't; then along came the tragedy! Same thoughts on the male lead as well.

I am thinking as the movie continues, what isn't going? Then it hit me!

Both kids are shy and have trouble communicating their feelings; as if their inability to tell each other their feelings is part of the movie itself. I then remembered young Hirahara Yu (played by Miyazaki Aoi) and her conversation with herself after kissing the boy. The boy's reaction is also quite indicative of young Yosuke (played by Nagayama Eita) that he as well is not well-versed in communicating with young girls in society.

Both actors were good at saying a lot with little dialogue, and I thought about all the missed opportunity for the two to come closer to each other. Both actor/actress portrayed the insecurity of young teenagers unable to express themselves in a personal, social situation.

Cut to a later time period in a bigger city...

Again, the two meet (quite accidentally, or was it by fate?) and start reminiscing about the past, and the older Hirahara Yu (now played by Nagasaku Hiromi) embarrasses the older Yosuke (now played by Nishijima Hidetoshi) about a typical 'boy' ritual that he performed late at night in his youth, when he thought no one else was around to see him! They also realize that they both wound up in the same industry as well.

The older Yosuke had not forgotten the promise he made the younger girl at the time of the tragedy back in their small town, and yet before he could fulfill his promise, another tragedy struck! I was so upset: he comes this close to fulfilling his promise made years ago, and he is going to die before he does! So I thought...

The ending though was both anti-climatic, yet climatic at the same time; I never thought that it would end this way, since it took so long. When the act happened, I felt of rush of emotion, forgetting that I was watching a movie.

Both actor/actress portraying the older main characters also kept the feeling of their inability to express themselves in a personal, social situation going in the second half of the movie. Good job both sets of main cast members!

The supporting cast assisted in the main cast's portrayal of the story quite well; special kudos to the criminal (Ryō Kase) for his brief but important two scenes in the movie.

Until recently, I never paid that much attention to music in a movie, but the little music in this film helped set the mood at the appropriate times..

The cinematography was also excellent in this film: the use of light and dark ( and black and white) helped set the appropriate mood for the scenarios, along with the music. I especially like the shots of the small town and then city to differentiate between the two worlds the two main characters are operating in for both parts of the film.

I never read reviews before I watch any movie; yet after watching other Japanese movies. they sometimes use this what I call "delayed action" technique for saying more than if the cast members talked; however, I still feel frustrated until i get the 'gist' of the movie down so I can truly enjoy it. It can make the movie very thrilling if timed just right, which the director of this movie does.

The overall message, to me, is NOT to put off saying what you wish to the people around you; it may be your only chance!

RE-WATCH VALUE: Occasionally...

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