Review of Japanese Story

Introduction

`Japanese Story` is a curious tale that seems to be a road movie, a romance, a tragedy, a comedy, and an exploration of clashing cultures, all within the space of less than two hours. It`s an ambitious film that really relies on its cast to pull it off, and they do with great aplomb. It`s also a film that is set, for the most part, in the isolated vistas of the Pilbara desert in Australia, capturing much of its enigmatic atmosphere with some simply breathtaking cinematography.

The son of an influential Japanese businessman, Tachibana Hiromitsu, (Otaro Tsunashima) arrives in Australia for a tour of some mining facilities that his family seem to have some interest in. Sandy Edwards (played fantastically convincingly by Toni Collette, best known for `Muriel`s Wedding` and `About a Boy`) is a sassy, no-nonsense partner in a never quite clarified `Geology Design` company based in Perth, and is chosen to accompany Tachibana on his tour of the mines and related facilities and terrain. She`s a surly and reluctant guide, and he, in turn, is incommunicative and clearly put out that he has been given a female host. There`s a touch of `Lost in Translation` here (though this pre-dates that movie), and there`s plenty of humour. There`s a lovely scene, for example, as Sandy arrives in a dusty Jeep to pick him up from a remote airport. She arrives late and throws his luggage onto the back seat expecting him to sit up front. Instead he squeezes himself into the back, immediately putting her into the subservient role of taxi-driver.

The first `half` of the movie progresses with an eventual and inevitable thawing of their mutual frostiness and distaste, and adventures out in the wilds of the out-back draw them ever closer together. There is a tenderness and charm to this process, and there`s a lovely sketch (following the near disaster of getting the wheels of the car stuck in a remote dust-bowl) where they`re in a works canteen. She asks him why he constantly says `Hai!` and he explains that it`s a word that can be used in many ways. This scene is the bridge between friendship and romance, set against the aching but beautiful emptiness of the Australian desert.

The second half of the movie emerges from a point in the film where all changes in dramatic and tragic fashion. Without wishing to pen a `spoiler`, the scene of this momentous turning point is played without fanfare or drum-roll. It just happens - like it would in real life. Just like that.

From this point the film becomes a much more serious piece. The lightness and humour is gone and is replaced by an extended view of the human condition - and coping with guilt and loss.

There are some very fine supporting roles worth a mention that just add to the realism and impact of this sublimely moving movie. Matthew Dyktyniski plays Sandy`s business partner Bill Baird and is amazingly believable. Wonderfully underplayed and yet somehow just right, his role really helps the difficult second half of the movie feel real. Also worthy of mention is Yumiko Tanaka who, as Hiromutu`s wife Yukiko, says barely a word and yet delivers much through facial expression and body language alone. Perfectly cast!

Video

Presented in Wide-screen Anamorphic 1:85:1, some of the wide-shots are just tremendous. It`s what the format was invented for! Ian Baker`s cinematography is stunning and the shots of the desert-scape are quite brilliant. This is a flawless transfer with wonderful rich colours and pin-sharp detail. If you need a film to convince any DVD-luddites about how good this format really can be, then check this out.

Audio

There`s a selection of Dolby Stereo 2.0 or DTS and Dolby options for 5.1. I watched the movie with DTS 5.1 and it was really a wonderful experience. Effects are tastefully spread, and the wash of evocative music across the whole surround was completely entrancing. Like everything in this movie, everything is done with a purpose so there are no superfluous spot effects panned extreme left and right, or pushed to the back unless it`s exactly right for the narrative. Dialogue is crystal clear and balance consistent throughout.

Features

For once, a commentary worth hearing! Director Sue Brooks, Screenwriter Alison Tilson and Producer Sue Tilson take us through the movie in an amusing and highly informative way. You get real insight into the technical and creative processes of filmmaking and there`s something nice about hearing Australian accents for a change.

There`s also a 30 minute interview with the trio, entitled `Inside Japanese Story` and filmed at `…an evening with the filmmakers of Japanese Story` at the AMCI in Melbourne. It`s basically a Q & A, but very compelling and informative.

Other features include a deleted scene (`We were swimming`) which is includes a brilliantly moving performance from Toni Collette. It`s difficult to understand how such a powerful scene was cut from the final release of the movie, though you can view the scene again with Director`s commentary where some insight is given to this seemingly crazy decision.

There`s also an original theatrical trailer (useful to persuade others to view the movie instead of the one they wanted to see).

Conclusion

I knew nothing of `Japanese Story` until it landed on my doormat a week or so ago. How I`d missed it is anybody`s guess as everyone I`ve spoken to since saw it and thought it was great. In fact it won a fistful of Australian film awards on its release in 2003, and this DVD has been eagerly awaited by many. They won`t be disappointed. Quite apart from the breathtaking transfer, there are a host of extras that for once really throw some light onto the intentions of both Writer and Director.

There are also some stunning performances and the cinematography is first class. Despite the fact that the movie seems to want to be all things to all people, with a `two movies in one` schizophrenic feel to it, it remains a truly impressive achievement. It took five long years to persuade a conglomerate to bankroll this film, but we should all be grateful that it still seems to be possible to get movies of such beauty and vision off the ground, despite commercial pressures to generate films with the broadest possible appeal. Thoroughly recommended, and one of the best (surprise) releases of the year.