The acting was impressive, the characters were mainly children but they sure know how to act! It was a rare find for me. A movie like this will shock you. Never knew such things happened.
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In a nutshell: Great film for people who like quiet, thoughtful films. Avoid if you like fast paced movies or do not want to cry.
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Inspired by true events (although fictionalized a little bit) by the Sugamo Child Abandonment Case, Koreeda presents an euphemized, less grim telling of the true events. It's a melodrama that's not depicted as a melodrama but carries the same intense and impact. I absolutely loved this film from the start to finish. Koreeda channels a contemplative style where details, time and dialogue drives the storytelling forward through its characters' actions. He maximizes the potential of his actors because it's presented in a way that's not exaggerated, not hyperbolic and not overly dramatic despite the film's central theme and plot.
I absolutely loved this film no doubt. Koreeda shows the passage of time through precise details from close-ups of feet, hands, tearing away of nail-polish, changing of the hair, color of the clothes and so on. That little Tokyo apartment depicts all the passage of time. The long cuts and the sudden shots of the children all show raw vividness and sincerity, it's as if they are being shot in their natural state which is how Koreeda really wanted it. The bond and the chemistry between all four children speaks volume and makes their presence feel very sentimental.
All four actors have zero acting experience prior to this film and you know what? That doesn't matter because it just feels so natural and so real that it doesn't matter. Young Yuki is just adorable. Shigeru though crazy is just cheerful. Kyoko is just simple and big brother Akira exhibits a boy-beyond-his-years. You see how the children change through their eyes and it's a very different perspective given to us as audience. The limited presence of adults did not matter because the young ensemble dominated the film well enough. Despite the serious subject, you cannot help but hate the mother (played by J-Pop star, YOU which IMO is a good choice) because each time she's on screen, she's shown as a bubbly, lovable mother. YOU's acting of a mother that craves love, somehow childish and the shots of putting on make-up all show that she craves the carefree life. But you can't hate her for that and Koreeda does that well. He also doesn't make you feel pity for the children instead he makes you admire them. These are all channeling positive emotions yet it's not a make-good film, it's a poignant coming-of-age portrayal.
Yuya Yagira, only 12 when he made this film, won Best Actor at Cannes at 14 for his role in this film beating famous names like Tom Hanks and being one of the youngest actor to win the award plus the first Japanese to do so. And he deserves it. Yagira acts with his eyes. He keeps the same all stoic face even when he's angry, when he's tired or when he just wants to run away from it all. He keeps the face. But it's the eyes that does the acting. He exhibits a maturity that's trapped in a child's body. A role where one is forced to grow up is shown so well through the children's little desire of toys, of games, to time outside of that cramp apartment, of friends, of baseball - these are all little details that Koreeda, the children and Yagira depict with intense vibrancy. Yagira is the anchor of this film showing such an emotionally complex portrayal of Akira.
The aesthetics of this film is just so nostalgic. Despite the very melodramatic theme, it doesn't feel grim or sorrowful so as a viewer, you feel hopeful. It's just so light that you can't help but feel good. With the in-depth use of camera, you are in there with them sharing their secret and you are helpless to do anything. Everything is overwhelming. But it's the overwhelming that makes you feel helpless as a viewer. This is great engagement between you and the film.
Koreeda uses symbolism, foreshdowing recurring shots that drives storytelling forward and perfect example of "Show Don't Tell"; is channeled throughout the film and it just touches you. I can't remember how many times I smiled seeing the same details used again and again to drive the story. For example, the opening shot shows Akira touching a pink suitcase, when the family moves in to the apartment, Shigeru is in that suitcase (I'll skip explaining why as to not spoil so much) and that very suitcase is used for a crucial plot element in the final half of the film.
Recurring use of a pink nail polish as well to show the mother's desire for youth and freedom and love and how Kyoko dropped it (another symbolism) and how the mother tried to wipe the stain (another symbolism) and how Kyoko is touching the stain months after the mother leaves (another symbolism) and the fading away of the nail polish shows the passage of time. It's repetition and making use of details so precise that makes the presentation of destruction of this family look so good and so beautiful and so clean even when it shouldn't be. Koreeda knocks you off your feet even when he doesn't have to try too hard.
Nobody Knows is not a film that's suppose to make you pity these kids (the ending is open-ended in some way) but it's a raw and vivid portrayal of family, of togetherness and of love and of courage shown through little details and utmost simplicity.
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This review may contain spoilers
heart wrenching but a little long-winded?
i didn't watch this in one sitting, since my limit is probably 1 and a half hours of attention. i imagine that if i did, the immersion would be greater, though i think i would have gotten slightly frustrated at the pace, though i think that could very much be intentional.we watch the children grow, over the span of what we can assume is 1-2 years. grow, that is, with no light but the sun, water from the park, and scrap food from the convenience store. shoes become too small, clothes become tattered, and akira becomes a shell of the boy he could have been, whilst taking the role of a parent for three younger children. we become witness to neglect that may be fictional, but whose basis is very real. our minds can't help but to imagine happiness and freedom that their mother is experiencing, all the while the children are suffering for her irresponsibility. i could probably write a 10,000 word essay on my hatred for her and almost all other adults in the children's life, but i don't think that'd be particularly helpful, so i'll refrain.
there's a lot of beauty in this film, mostly thanks to the cinematography and the rawness of the acting, most likely due to the loose script (i highly recommend watching the documentary on the making of this film). akira's rare smile was healing, as was seeing the children finding joy in growing plants in ramen pots, or eating their favourite candy. the setting of the flat feels claustrophobic and suffocating, and the shots outside really are a breath of fresh air. the children's utter joy at just being able to walk outside is extremely bittersweet, when they are greeted with the apathy of the outside world.
the juxtaposition of akira's resignation of the dream that their mother would return, and yuki's hope that her birthday wish of her mother's presence would come true is noteable. experience has withered akira's soul into that of a pessimist, while yuki's naivety has a small flame still burning until her final breaths.
yuki's death was as equally devastating as it was relieving. what was in her future? it seems that she was hardly registered as a living person, what could the world give her, other than indifference? nobody knows that she existed, nor that she died, except from us, the viewer, and the family of 'nobodies'. of course, her not existing on paper did not mean that she did not, but it did mean that only her present did.
i've heard that this is based loosely on a particular case, though i'm sure that, unfortunately, this film will resonate with many who've been abandoned, temporarily or permanently, or children who were forced to grow up too fast, in any manner, especially for those who have had to grow up for the sake of those more vulnerable than them, who have done nothing but sacrifice. i hope for all akiras, kyokos, shigeru and sakis, that an apology and compensation owed to you by the world is given in some way, and that all the 'freedom' given to those who embody the role of the mother in this film is proven to have a heavy cost.
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(Sadly enough) based on a true story
I watched "Nobody Knows" the first time in 2013 as part of my Japanese course. Back then, I thought it was a very slow film, and it was thus hard for me to really get into it. But a lot of it stuck with me for reasons that will become obvious when you watch it. So years later, I watched it again and gained a true appreciation for the film. "Appreciation" sounds strange given the real-life event that the film is based on, but it's the closest I can get. It's been said in other reviews, but this isn't a happy film or a happy story. But my god does it open your eyes to what actually happens around the world, even if it's rare in comparison to other horrifying things we read about on the daily. Reading about the Sugamo child abandonment case after watching "Nobody Knows" just made me a hundred times more depressed about the whole thing. It's just unfathomable that such a thing can happen, that it DOES happen probably more often than we think.The actors are mere children but they play their roles so well, especially Yagira Yuuya who played the role of Akira but also You (the actress, haha) who portrayed the children's mother, Keiko. It became really easy to despise her in the film and I think that's a sign of good acting. Because if I hadn't felt that strongly about her character, her acting wouldn't have been good enough. But it is. The cinematography in this film is absolutely stunning; it successfully captures the mood in scenes where it matters the most, and while the lack of music at times makes the film feel a little bit flat, the cinematography, acting, and overall story helps bring the score up regardless. Even so, I have to say that, at the end when the credits song started playing, I burst into tears that second time I watched through "Nobody Knows" again. It felt like the whole film was a build-up to that moment, which in some ways it was, but the way the music was brought in when it was really drove the point home.
Despite my first impression not being a good one, my second one was wildly different, and thus "Nobody Knows" is one of those films I will probably never forget.
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The beginning of the movie portrays an ideal family life despite their lower social class, however due to choices made by the mother the children suddenly find themselves fending for themselves. The storyline is made that much sadder and heart-warming due to the fact it is a true story that I would advise to take some time to Wikipedia “Sugamo child abandonment case”. The sad fact of why a mother would choose to abandon her children for a man is disgusting in its right but for the children to even go through a death on their own broke me into tears and thoughts of life.
ACTING: 6.7 - Yagira Yuuya 10/10
Outstanding performance from the eldest child, Akira (Yagira Yuuya); for every scene he managed to produce the necessary emotions to make you truly believe which is such a rare portrayal of most present actors.
LIKED – The scene at the airport was rightly directed in a manner of absence of speech that as a viewer you are drawn in on the trauma that drove the children there.
CONCLUSION:
You should watch this drama if you enjoy genres such as FAMILY LIFE – LOVE - ABANDONMENT – DEATH – FRIENDSHIP – HOMELESSNESS – HOPE – NON FICTION – SOCIAL CLASS – MELODRAMA.
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Presented as it is.
As viewers of fiction, we often root for our protagonists to witness growth and overcome their crises. In most cases, we get exactly what we wish for. This is not one of them.The movie does a great job in depicting what could go wrong when you're faced with an overwhelming situation.
In the beginning, you keep denying there's a problem until a time comes when you're forced to assess the problem with your limited knowledge and do your best to alleviate it. With time you realise that even though you keep trying and giving your best, the problem still remains. It persists. This leads us to the stage of avoidance where we seek comfort elsewhere to distract us from our troubles.
But one can only avoid it for so long... until it arrives knocking at your door, bringing with itself the consequences of your inaction and all you can do is... accept it.
If you're someone who is tired of all the ultra positive feel happy media present everywhere and want something refreshing for a change or if you are procrastinating on your troubles and want something or someone to knock you back into reality, then this is highly recommended.
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This movie is based on a real case form Japan, where the mother abandoned her children. I wouldn't call it a bad movie, but since I am the type to watch movies to enjoy myself rather than being reminded of the cruel world, I couldn't really rate it better. It is not a bad movie, but it is saddening and depressing to watch and think how this really happened. This movie shows many of the social problems Japan had back in 2004 and still has. For example nobody seems to think they have to do something about the children who live alone. And then there is regular bullying. There is the issue of a good friend of the oldest son trying to prostitute herself to get some money for the kids and so on. There is a lot of serious stuff and even though the movie is not bad, it's not what I want to watch. So it get's 2* from, but a warm recommendation to everyone who likes realistic films that tell you the problems of a society. If you are interested in Japan, you should try and think outside of the frames while watching the movie, since it can teach you a lot about the Japanese society.
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This review may contain spoilers
Yeah, that's probably what I felt all through out. This is just so sad. It left me hanging on thoughts how can a mother be capable of such a thing. The children are just so precious, the potrayal of the eldest son is just as realistic as you wish he must be, he must be just as strong and responsible at that time. I can't rewatch this though, it's just so sad. After looking up the story this was based too, it was more unbearable to take. If you want your mind and soul to stay as calm as it is, then don't watch this. Watch this at your own risk of reminding yourself how cruel other people can be. Was this review helpful to you?
