Otôto

I love Yoji Yamamda's films. His films seem to go directly to the heart of the human condition. I think I own almost all of them, so when "About Her Brother" was released, I immediately bought a copy sight unseen. I'm a little sorry I did so. "About Her Brother" is not an example of his usual fare. It seems more like Yoji Yamada took half a script from a Tora-san movie and grafted it onto the script for one of his standard serious dramas. The first half of the film follows, mostly, the comings and goings of a goofy Tora-san-like brother who goes beyond just measure in trying to draw laughs. It really is painful to watch the over acting. The second half of the film is more focused on the family members who suffer misery on the brother's account. Rather than rush out and buy a copy, I would advise movie fans to see it in the theater or rent the DVD first, and then make a decision on whether to buy it or not.

After enjoying "Kabe" immensely, I was really looking forward to seeing this movie. It did not disappoint. It had all the Yoji Yamada touches. The strong central characters with comic relief provided by the excellent supporting cast. The sense of changing seasons. The low angle Ozu-type end-of-scene shots. Most of all, the celebration of the lives of regular people and a heartfelt salute to those who quietly give their all, everyday. Like all Yamada movies, this movie is full of heart - you laugh, you cry. There are no special effects and no animation - just a lot of love. I will watch anything this guy writes or directs. I'm glad the Berlin Film Festival Board seems to feel the same way too.

If you don't really have a crush on Japanese culture, beware this movie has a lot of cultural references. Indeed 恩'd say it will entertain scholars but not everyone.

It's not about the conclusion of the story, is the realization of life itself. From many levels of symbolism one can see Tokyo vs Osaka culture, ancient vs contemporary, traditions vs innovation, 内々 (uchi-uchi) in the sense of community, 恩 (on) in the sense of obligation. Daily ethical Japanese if you like... The story is simple but many details arise and its not a matter of solving something in the classical model of occidental drama, enjoy from the beginning, every moment, but don't hope for a hard climax or an unexpected outcome.

If you are fond of Japanese perspectives, you will love it as 恩 did.

In "About Her Brother," Kohoru, a pretty young lady who works in the local pharmacy of her mother in a Tokyo suburb, is talking about her Uncle Tetsuro, her mother's younger brother, who is the family black sheep, for being a loser and a drunk. Her mother, the long-suffering Mrs. Ginko Takano, is the only family member who remained sympathetic to Tetsuro despite all the trouble and humiliation he has caused them.

The movie is two-hours long and slow to unfold despite the predictable story. The first part showing the shameful callous idiocy of Tetsuro was very difficult to watch. His foolishness at Kohoru's wedding and the huge unpaid debt he has incurred will make you feel so indignant. Yet, by the last thirty minutes, you would not be able to control your tears as those last heart-rending scenes squeeze them out of you.

This film's success I attribute solely to the sublime performance of Ms. Sayuri Yoshinaga as Ginko. Despite the movie being told in Kohoru's point of view, it is Ginko's quiet dignity and selflessness is the elegant heart and soul of this film. What Ginko goes through in this movie for her younger brother is harrowing and difficult, and many people now may not understand why she did what she did. But Ms. Yoshinaga's Ginko was so real. We feel her as our own mother.

This is a rare movie that tells about an older sister-younger brother relationship. I hope to see director Yoji Yamada's other films about Japanese family life. My introduction to Japanese film was a movie about a Japanese family, Ozu's fascinating "Tokyo Story". The emotions "About Her Brother" evokes in its final quarter somewhat reminded me of Ozu's work. The beautiful Asian sense of self-sacrifice in the name of family was showcased in its restrained nobility.

This movie really isn't for everyone, I personally didn't enjoy it as much. But it does have it's target audiences that would enjoy this movie. There is usually a imbecile that is part of a family or a relative that cause trouble even a lot of trouble for the family members. And that is what this movie is about for the most part. Even watching that imbecile cause trouble after trouble for everyone that actually somewhat care about him, just made me angry throughout the whole thing. Which is fine, I have seen many films with a villain or a character that I really despised. But the thing about this movie is that, the imbecile in this doesn't seem to understand that he is a imbecile and causing trouble for others around him. I just can't understand the nerve of some people, especially how imbeciles like him would make other people clean up his mess continuously. I guess the movie sends out a message to imbeciles out there, like the character in this movie. I personally didn't get immersed in the scenarios, even though I understand Japanese culture and stuff. I gotta admit the main reason I watched this movie was because of Yu Aoi and she is still pretty as ever. Unfortunately she is just a supporting character in this.

3.5/10