Randorî

Imagine...

"Laundry" is a heartwarming story about Teru, a young man who suffered a brain injury at youth and Mizue, a single woman with many problems of her own. The setting of this film is extremely unlikely, but the attraction between these two were very convincing and beautiful. I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this movie, it was very calm at start, and really made me feel warm inside during the second half.

Kubozuka Yousuke is my favorite actor, and he once again delivers an amazing performance. His portrayal of a pure hearted and honest young man really inspired me. Koyuki, who I generally thought to be a weak actress was surprisingly good in this movie, she was beautiful and fit the dark role perfectly. I was really able to sympathize with her character when she was sad, and inspired when she was doing her best to change. Naitou Takashi, who played "Sally" was also very entertaining with his serious yet comedic role.

This is a slow movie, but time just flew by for me. I was completely absorbed to the story. It was insanely well-directed with an excellent flow. Direction in this film may be the best I have ever seen. There were also few comedic reliefs that really helped. Music was also perfect, simple and touching. Acting, story, music, cinematography... all perfect, an easy 10/10.

There were couple of scenes that were extremely memorable, and I cried three times. The greatness of this film can't be described by words, you must see it for yourself.

I've seen many Asian movies and of course I agree that a European audience might need some 'training' to full enjoy cinematography from the far east. But this movie is different, though the time-line is typically Japanese, the storyline is simple and linear and the flow of the events doesn't contain real surprises, this movie succeeds in creating a strong affection among the audience and the characters: at the end of this movie, you'll miss them because you'll feel like you know them. Even though very intense and romantic, this movie includes very funny scenes and characters that let you relax and laugh a little. This is my favorite movie and I hope it will make you feel the way I feel every time a watch it.

I really enjoyed watching this movie. I really felt for the characters, especially Teru, played by Yosuke Kubozuka. The character is not overdone, and it seems real. Koyuki, who plays Mizue, did an excellent job as well. There's a definite sort of sadness and loneliness in both of their characters which I believe makes the them interact so well together.

But as a warning, this is definitely a slow paced movie, so if you don't have patience you might want to not watch this. I believe that this movie was good because of it's simplicity and the slow pace. Altogether an enjoyable experience!

I actually got this movie as a Valentine's present, and now I'm pretty sure she loves me. :D

Laundry is about boy meets girl. Boy has some issues due to an injury he suffered as a kid, girl has some issues too from a break-up she had a while earlier.

This movie is about the search for everyday happiness. It tells us we all might have something bothering us from the past but we should cherish the moments that have been given us, everyday, every moment of our lives.

Teru, the boy, shows this with his pure innocence, his ignorance maybe of what life is about. His thoughts and actions makes us see we do not need a lot to be happy. Mizue, the girl, on the other hand offers us another perspective; she is aware of being a reject and tries to fit in, without success. When she meets Teru she realises that is not the key to happiness.

The cinematography of this movie is great with nice use of colours. The soundtrack totally fits the mood of the movie, the acting is also of great quality. It all adds up to a sweet and touching story on.. Life.

For the most part, "Laundry" is more convincing, realistic, real, human, and specific in the first half, and more romanticized, symbolic, magical, and transcendent in the second half. I much preferred the former.

I think the key to the breach is the reliance on a romance to move the narrative. The couple are not a real fit except perhaps in a fairy-tale. Even though Teru is a cute, cuddly guy with expressive smiles and pure intents, Mizue is clearly a step above in terms of stature and beauty. She is too much the stuff of male dreaming, especially for a coin laundry custodian. He's like a neighborhood guy who hangs out at the laundry, is burdened by a brain injury, and she is someone who seems to be moving forward in life, depressed or not. It seems like he best belongs with his typical laundry crowd , rather than with its most special customer.

In fact, I think it's his fantasy about her that puts pressure on her. It's not that he's cornering her, but that she has deep personal problems and, as such, is vulnerable to impressions. She has no real center from which to accept or deny him. And no real direction in her life to pursue on her own. And most importantly, she's under the sway of a guilt complex as an addicted and apprehended kleptomaniac. So, it's not surprising that she's often self-deprecating, too dependent, or that she regularly ties Teru's shoes for him.

The pigeon trainer, who initially belongs to the movie's compelling early realism which is so apparent in the hitchhiker scenes, becomes much less human in his home and work scenes. He not only repeats the very particular expressions from his earlier road encounter with Teru which detracts from their meanings, but he too seems now to be more a fantasy figure, signing over his middle class house and professional work to the couple, and then alighting from Japan in search of true love.

Meanwhile, the gray suburban landscape with all its burgeoning gas tanks and poverty also gets the fantasy distraction. Leaping over puddles, flying airy balloons, white ceremonial pigeons, and romantic love, do not answer to the laundry or the tanks. The fuzziness is also apparent in the seemingly several endings-- 'is this the real ending or will there be one more.'