A Girl Named Ann

This is a difficult film to rate for a few reasons. If you like a conclusive ending whether its happy or sad, or like a film with a noticeable deeper meaning then this may not be for you. If you are fan of well done cinematography, are a major Japanese cinephile, or like film meanings that are open to interpretation then you may want to check this out.

This film is at times bleak, dark, and brutal. It also has moments of hopefulness and lightness. You will be on a rollercoaster!

The acting is well done, especially the lead actress who does a very good job as the titular Ann. There is no soundtrack at all in this movie which can at times be a bit unsettling, but I believe that's the point.

I gave it 6 stars because it wasn't really to my taste and I did not like the ending, but as stated the acting and cinematography were good.

I'm sorry if this review wasn't more helpful but it's the best I could do without spoilers. Whether you like this or not is really going to depend on your personal taste in movies.

A bleak portrayal of a tormented drug addict grappling with her relentless pain and the demons that haunt her, both inner and outer.

However, the narrative leans too heavily into despair, leaving no room for those who desperately seek a glimmer of hope.

While I commend the intention to prioritise story's true purpose over audience preferences, it ultimately neglects the elements that might have resonated with a broader audience yearning for positivity and redemption.

So, from an objective standpoint, it meets its artistic ambitions, but subjectively speaking, the story did very little for me.

Over the years I've been passionate about Japanese culture and therefore Japanese cinema. For the people who are not accustomed to Japanese movies it'll be hard to digest its slow pacing. I personally find this last attribute to be charming when it comes to Japanese cinematic culture. There is no over-the-top action or very unrealistic scenarios happening, most of the time. It is a slice of life, and this movie does a great job at portraying exactly that.

At the center is Ann, a young woman struggling with meth addiction, born into a part of society that suffers intense discrimination. Her life is shaped by domestic violence and a history of exploitation, having been forced into prostitution at a very young age. These experiences leave her with self-harming tendencies and little to hope for, until she meets Tatara, a man who steps into her life as a father figure. Through small but meaningful acts, he offers her comfort and a new perspective, giving her something worth holding on to.

In a society where there is no space for error, seeing their interaction and the way this policeman (mr Tatara) gives his time to help people who are neglected, it is indeed beautiful to see that there are still people who go out of their expected roles to help people in need. I believe this is the most important part of this movie: creating sensitivity for such a taboo topic in Japan.

Ann, played by Kawai Yumi, is depicted as a survivor; someone who gives to others without asking for anything in return. Yumi-san delivers a performance full of restraint and strength, making the character's struggles and moments of hope all the more affecting. The other characters are also strong, especially Mr. Tatara, who plays a decisive role in how the story unfolds.

Visually, the film is meticulous. Every scene is framed with care, the cinematography balancing simplicity with an underlying complexity that reveals itself gradually. I loved the simplicity, yet still complex segments of this work.

Lover or not of Japanese cinematography, I'd recommend this movie for people who enjoy strong characters or the complexity of mental health in general. It can serve as a reminder of the human connections and how they can emerge in even the harshest circumstances.