With comedy this dry, who needs drama? The sudden involvement of Hanataro and Annabelle in the Kobayashis' lives throws everything into chaos, above all for Natsuki, and the appropriate reaction tends to be cringing instead of laughing. I'm reminded of Charlie Kaufman, where the sense of humor is wry and offbeat, and wrapped up in a narrative that's off-kilter and uncomfortable (often until it becomes outright dark). Or really, Kaufman, twisted together with the backwards humor of Elaine May's 'The heartbreak kid,' and for good measure a touch of Darren Aronofsky's 'mother!' The ingrained social and cultural need to extend hospitality and good manners, and to maintain a polite facade no matter what, is pushed to its absolute limits, a dead-eyed satire of the utmost extreme. There's a bare-faced commentary herein on immigration, and how an existing population responds to an influx of newcomers, seen not just in the Kobayashi home being upended, but also in how Natsuki and Mikio navigate their domestic life, and above all in the attitudes of the "neighborhood watch" who are insistent on the problem of outsiders but take heavy-handed short-term solutions to other perceived issues. I really didn't know what I was getting into when I sat to watch 'Hospitalité,' and wow, have I been surprised.
Filmmaker Fukada Koji, serving as writer, director, and editor, rather rides a line here with the topics the movie broaches. It's probably the sort of thing that one could read into according to their own beliefs and values, and/or which is deliberately rides that line with the intent to offer perspective and get people thinking and talking. I don't specifically know what Fukada's intent was, any more than I am educated on immigration in Japan; what I do know is that his screenplay is admirably smart, and his direction and editing tight and sharp. The dialogue and scene writing are all but biting in their cringe-inducing awkwardness, and while the picture does delicately alight on more robust comedy that might earn a laugh, it is immediately answered anew with more of that stone-faced sensibility. I do think any sort of commentary herein gets a bit garbled at times as the narrative progresses - e.g., the productivity of immigrants on the one hand, and on the other hand, pushing out other citizens - but in fairness, that would be in keeping with the possible tightrope act one might assume. And with that we have the core of 'Hospitalité': the dry, uneasy comedy-drama, and the writing that provides the foundation. Excellent and steady as Fukada's direction is (and his editing) in realizing the tableau, they're just bonuses.
Fine production design adjoins some choice filming locations. The acting is terrific and nuanced; I'm especially fond of the subtle journey of exasperation we get with Sugino Kiki starring as Natsuki. This is well made in all regards, including crisp cinematography and sound design, and scrutinize the particulars as we may, the end result is definitely entertaining. Given the nature of the feature it won't appeal to all; this is the type of "comedy" for anyone who wants instant gratification and big reactions. If you're receptive to the more intellectual, off-key variety, however, then 'Hospitalité' is a fine credit to all involved and well worth exploring.
