This review may contain spoilers
A journey deep in the woods.
Wood Job is one of those Japanese movies that completely relaxes you and just makes you sink into the couch comfortably. I call these movies "the movies that heal me." I love challenging movies Japan puts out, but at the same time I have a strong love for the rural setting, everyday life in village kind of movies.
First of all, let me tell you this movie is hilarious, and it doesn't even try to be funny; it is so effortless that it makes the experience so enjoyable. It's chaotic with so many characters, but within the chaos you learn a lot. There are moments that make you feel happy and at the same time teach you a lot. In fact, this is the very first time I watched a movie about forestry, and I learned a lot!
So let's get to the plot.
The story follows high school student Yuki, who failed to pass his university entrance test and finds himself having to resit and go to cram school while his friends are moving on. On impulse, he decides to join a forestry program advertised because of the beautiful girl on the pamphlet. He embarks on this journey, traveling to a far region of Japan lost in the mountains. Here, he finds himself in an unfamiliar environment; Here, he is met with so many challenges and difficulties, unfamiliar food and habits, all wrapped in comedy, but at the same time he learns a lot about history, the importance of forestry, and finally finds a place in the world he feels like he belongs.
The movie is just perfect for a slow Sunday; it's so relaxing, and every frame is just spectacular with the background of nature. The storyline is not complicated, and the characters are simple but chaotic, but it's not the type of chaos that overwhelms you; it's more of a warm chaos that touches your heart; like a loud and happy family.
While we follow Yuki's story from learning to do forestry work to finding a purpose, we learn a lot. When Yuki moves to the village, he is met with so many habits and challenges. To start with food, when he had to try snake or learn to wake up early. The whole journey, he is just uncomfortable and has no idea what he is doing and gets yelled at the whole time, but at the same time, you start seeing a shift when he starts following their traditions and embraces the village pride. All of this is wrapped in comedy, so effortlessly funny but warm.
For me, the warmest aspect of this movie was the journey to finding yourself, your dream, and what you stand for. Sometimes dreams will look different from others and unusual, and it will take a whole journey into the woods to understand. The job in the woods changes not only his habits but also who he is.
In terms of cinematography, this was a feast for my eyes, with such stunning background of the Japanese countryside. Watching it was a pleasure to the eyes. Honestly felt like running away to the mountains of Japan; it could really fix all of my problems.
First of all, let me tell you this movie is hilarious, and it doesn't even try to be funny; it is so effortless that it makes the experience so enjoyable. It's chaotic with so many characters, but within the chaos you learn a lot. There are moments that make you feel happy and at the same time teach you a lot. In fact, this is the very first time I watched a movie about forestry, and I learned a lot!
So let's get to the plot.
The story follows high school student Yuki, who failed to pass his university entrance test and finds himself having to resit and go to cram school while his friends are moving on. On impulse, he decides to join a forestry program advertised because of the beautiful girl on the pamphlet. He embarks on this journey, traveling to a far region of Japan lost in the mountains. Here, he finds himself in an unfamiliar environment; Here, he is met with so many challenges and difficulties, unfamiliar food and habits, all wrapped in comedy, but at the same time he learns a lot about history, the importance of forestry, and finally finds a place in the world he feels like he belongs.
The movie is just perfect for a slow Sunday; it's so relaxing, and every frame is just spectacular with the background of nature. The storyline is not complicated, and the characters are simple but chaotic, but it's not the type of chaos that overwhelms you; it's more of a warm chaos that touches your heart; like a loud and happy family.
While we follow Yuki's story from learning to do forestry work to finding a purpose, we learn a lot. When Yuki moves to the village, he is met with so many habits and challenges. To start with food, when he had to try snake or learn to wake up early. The whole journey, he is just uncomfortable and has no idea what he is doing and gets yelled at the whole time, but at the same time, you start seeing a shift when he starts following their traditions and embraces the village pride. All of this is wrapped in comedy, so effortlessly funny but warm.
For me, the warmest aspect of this movie was the journey to finding yourself, your dream, and what you stand for. Sometimes dreams will look different from others and unusual, and it will take a whole journey into the woods to understand. The job in the woods changes not only his habits but also who he is.
In terms of cinematography, this was a feast for my eyes, with such stunning background of the Japanese countryside. Watching it was a pleasure to the eyes. Honestly felt like running away to the mountains of Japan; it could really fix all of my problems.
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