Shunji Iwai made a film that is with perfect imperfections on so many levels! And having the real goddess Aina the End as a street singer Kyrie was a natural choice when you make such a film! How to describe that voice is challenging... like a piece of glass on the verge of shattering, you have no other option but to fall in love with that hoarseness and brightness of her voice. The exhausted singing method will remind you of a fish that is about to dry up by the river... singing!
The screenplay may seem chaotic, but it always feels right-perhaps perplexing, yet undeniably correct. The straightforward narrative never complicates itself, revealing emotions more than events without adhering strictly to a timeline.
The story revolves around four individuals and their interactions over 13 years, each hailing from distinct backgrounds. Kyrie (Aina The End) is a street musician who cannot talk and whose only means of expression is her singing. Natsuhiko Shiomi (Hokuto Matsumura) is on a quest to find his missing pregnant girlfriend. Fumi Teraishi (Haru Kuroki) is an elementary school teacher who reaches out to those in emotional pain. Itsuko Ichijo (Suzu Hirose) is an enigmatic woman who volunteers to manage Kyrie.
I adored this film so much that I have no choice but to give it five stars. It's rare for me to watch something for nearly three hours without blinking, but this emotional music family drama strikes the perfect balance to be considered a kind of anarchistic masterpiece!
