30/10
A repressed matriarch and, unfortunately, extraordinary circumstances—a disturbing earthquake, crushing debt, a dying ex-husband, a raging coworker, and her son’s girlfriend—are pushed to the brink. “Hamon” is a standard Japanese word that literally means “to ripple,” and metaphorically the effect we all have on others. This is highlighted several times in the film with scenes where the main character—wife, husband, son, etc.—stands in a shallow pond, and one character’s ripples extend in a regular circle to reach the others. It’s a pretty interesting visualization of interpersonal relationships, but nothing that couldn’t be applied to any film featuring humans. Or any living organism, really. The arc of the film tells the story of a Japanese housewife’s escape and suffering as she must survive the sudden disappearance of her husband, the death of her father. only son to college, then a career, as far as he can travel without leaving Japan (well, except Okinawa), then the aforementioned bum shows up again. a man Events among other things. Lots of humor, lots of shoes, some awkward scenes with her deaf fiancé, whom her son brings home without any warning. I think it was worth watching even before the last scene, which was surprising, exciting, exhilarating, actually quite wonderful. Oh!
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