First off- this is a discussion for those who have seen the movie. In US as of Feb 1 2024, still has limited movie run at select theatres- this is one that benefits from big screen, immersive cinema experience.
Spoilers from here on!
3 big questions after viewing:
1 Does Yori set the fire?
There are a number of clues that says he does:
1 He states he was up until 2 am the night of the fire
2 He is convinced that burning bodies is a way to help them be reborn and have a new chance
3 when asked by Minato if he burned the building he neither denies nor confirms, but does say "Alcohol is bad for your health"
He carries a lighter, but burn marks on his body and placement indicate his father probably burned him with it----One thing this movie continually teaches the viewer is that our tidy judgements and putting things into little boxes is often wrong or incomplete.
2 Do the boys have a happy ending?
While the parent and teacher are shown frantically trying to peer through the muddy window of the boys fallen sanctuary and then open the window at the end--- the boys are never shown to crash or be injured in their timeline- they find a new path and crawl into the light. They are radiant and free, laughing and jumping under blue sky and sunshine. The end....
Have they died to be reborn? Yori says yes, Minato says no. As one reviewer said- whatever and wherever they are, including "dead or alive" is not important- at this second- they are together, happy and free".
What are your thoughts and impressions?
3 Who are the monsters?
One theme of the movie is the idea of stepping out of bounds and facing consequences for it. I recently visited Japan for the first time- and was struck by the cleanliness, efficiency and physical leanness of the populace. But also by the conformity and need to help community and now stand out. What not to do signs were everywhere in English and Japanese- plastering parks, the subways, etc.
In this culture, the mom warns her son as a "game" to not step out of bounds or he will be in hell. Later, she says of herself- Oops, I stepped over the line, now I'm in Hell. All five of the main characters in various ways have stepped out of what society expects - Minatos mom is a single parent and is judged by multiple characters for it. She also reflects judgements onto her son and his teacher. The teacher Hori is dating a bar hostess and is judged for it- yet the bar hostess also judges him for his strange interests "Get a better hobby!" she advises/warns him. The two boys and the principal also have done things/behave in ways that are out of bounds.
And what about us as viewers? How many times during the movie do we make conclusions and throw things in boxes only to have to reconsider as new information comes our way. Are we not also monsters? Capable of both deep feeling and hideous thougts at various times?
Please weigh in with your thoughts and impressions.
