The Harimaya Bridge

"The Harimaya Bridge" is an exceptionally well-conceived, impeccably written and brilliantly directed piece of cinematic excellence.

At the core, "The Harimaya Bridge" is about choices, impact and love.

There are many things to appreciate (and learn from) about this film; from the directing, to the cinematography, to the writing.

Writer-director-producer Aaron Woolfolk's direction and keen eye for dialogue reminds me of John Sayles' masterpiece "Lonestar."

"The Harimaya Bridge" is incredibly smart and sharply-written with just the proper amount of precision required without being superfluous.

Mr. Woolfolk has also produced a picture-perfect and stellar cast.

What's witnessed, is a birds-eye view of everyday people, in everyday life, and how they cope with its travels and travails.

Like a fine piece of Egyptian fabric, Mr. Woolfolk has carefully interwoven the story lines at a steady pace that kept me extremely interested - so much so that when it was over, I wanted more.

Any student of writing, directing or producing will appreciate this film and, like myself, will use it as a guideline and blueprint for what future directors (and writers) should (and need) to aspire to.

It has a beautiful story which slowly captured my attention. I had never felt the Japanese were friendly towards Americans, especially after hearing stories form uncles who fought the Japanese in WWII. In this story Mickey a young American finds a world where he is accepted and loved as he teaches art to his students.

After Mickey's death his father, who acts rudely to the very accepting Japanese, arrives in Japan to acquire the belongings of his son only to find more than he was prepared to find.

The actors were exceptional, with a small part for Danny Glover! Hard to believe that this movie hasn't gotten more Awards/recognition!

Even without knowing in advance that filmmaker Aaron Woolfolk was heavily inspired by the legendary director Akira Kurosawa, something about his debut feature called to mind films by Kurosawa like Dreams and Rhapsody in August.

It's nothing on the surface of the screenplay that can be quickly interpreted or discerned. It's something much more subtle and nuanced that comes through in the very natural pacing of the story and the sensitive development of its characters.

But it also seems to come through in the deeper level of attention that Woolfolk, like his cinematic inspiration, pays to the sumptuous rural settings chosen for this film that reflect the Japan of old through modern eyes, as opposed to the country's more often seen urban environs.

All this, however, isn't meant to suggest that Harimaya Bridge, Woolfolk's first feature, is a flawless masterpiece. It isn't. But it is a very masterful directorial debut that is often as visually stunning as it is emotionally stirring.

With a fantastic cast that includes Ben Guillory (The Color Purple), Saki Takaoka (Midnight Diner), Misa Shimizu (The Sea is Watching) and the famed Danny Glover (also the film's producer), The Harimaya Bridge is a densely layered portrait of the extended human family. And it touches on a complex variety of themes, including romantic and familial love, bigotry, loss, sorrow, discovery, tradition, and the unexpected bridges that can lead us to redemption and forgiveness.

I just saw this film at a preview screening last night in Tokyo, and I really loved it. I was reduced to tears several times, and I wasn't the only one in the audience who was sniffling. The story is not only moving but quite unique: It's about a black man who has come to Japan after his son dies here, and must take an unusual journey in the countryside as he attempts to make peace with his son's death and their past conflicts. As someone who has lived in Japan for many years, it's gratifying to see such a personal film set in this country but from an American director. Although there are some big stars, including Danny Glover, "Harimaya" feels more like a Japanese movie than a Hollywood one in its pacing, character interactions and atmosphere. The film is getting a fairly wide release in Japan, and I think it will provoke a lot of discussion. I encourage everyone to see it, especially those who feel connected with Japan. Itﾕs a beautiful, rewarding work.

I just saw this film in the theater yesterday and was completely blown away by it. I am somewhat of a film buff, but I can not remember ever before being so moved, so entertained and so utterly wrapped up in a movie before.

I need not say anything about the plot as the blurb here on IMDb says it all --beside which what is really important is how the story unfolds. The pacing was wonderfully done and the camera work was beautiful. There were minimal lighting effects and/or after-effects used so the picture had a more realistic feel which I felt was a good decision as it forced the director to pay careful attention to the framing of each scene and let the beautiful scenery speak for itself in order to create a visual dimension to the poetry that is the story.

As moving as the visuals are, the amazing soundtrack also needs to be commended. Some scenes employ no background music and instead rely on natural sounds or the bustling of the town etc. while other scenes really benefit from the background music that accompanies the visuals.

The actors all deserve commendations for their amazing work. There were relatively few lines spoken in the film but each was delivered with maximum effect which, along with subtle body language managed to not only properly convey the story but to add an honesty and intensity that really drew me into the character's world.

The overall direction is also superb; the way that the director brings together all these assets (beautiful locations, talented actors, gorgeous photography/music and compelling story) and wraps it all up with his clever framing/cinematography is truly amazing. The last scene stands out most in my mind where the titular bridge finally makes its appearance. While the voice-over finally explains why the bridge is so important (literally and symbolically) the camera pans carefully to give us a visual metaphor as well.

Lastly, the story is simple and yet the presentation reveals unexpected depth offering viewers some lessons which everyone could do with hearing again.