Josée, le Tigre et les Poissons

After watching this movie, I wanted to check what anyone else thinks about this movie. And after searching it on IMDb, I'm surprised to see that there were few reviews. So, if you're like me, and you're unsatisfied with how few reviews this movie has, this is for you.

To start off, it was amazing, right? Not perfect, but it is close. I'm now curious to check out other movies like this. You see, I don't watch a lot of films nowadays. But I got the chance to have a day off, that's why I decided to see this film. How did I find this film, you ask? I clicked on a music video, and I went to the comments section to know the name of the anime film being used for it. And there I found out it was a retelling of this movie, and since the anime film is fairly recent, I couldn't find any copies to watch. So that's why I decided to watch the live action.

Now that you know the context of how and why I got to watch this film, let me tell you why it was a pleasant watch. First and foremost, the story is sufficient enough to be charming in its own way. This is the kind of film you put on to kill time, maybe doze off, or try to self-insert yourself in the characters. Its a good story, not one of the best, but it has moments that makes up for it. And no, I'm not talking about the scenes you're thinking of.

Next, the characters are well-grounded, maybe a bit dramatic, but enough to buy into for the story. Not to undermine the film, but I didn't remember any name of the characters, except for Josee. And now, here's why you'll want to watch this film (or not), let me tell you, straight up. If you're like me, you'll have a great time imagining about Josee's character after watching the film. Maybe you can be a bit fond of her, just like me. Because, she's a good character to ponder and think about. I don't know her character stereotype, but I'll definitely look it up. Because I would like to watch more of her character.

But again, the movie is not groundbreaking. Its mostly quiet, and slow paced. But overall it adds to the charm of the whole movie. I'd recommend this movie for anyone who has spare time, and is open to be pleasantly surprised (or not) after watching a 2-hour movie.

Their love story seemed really ordinary, even though Josée was disabled. They didn't try to make the audience feel sorry for her or anything, which is a good thing but at the same time it turned the story into an unremarkable one. If someone made a movie out of my love life I wouldn't watch it because it's normal and kinda boring.

This is one of those films that went wrong, but it's hard to pinpoint exactly why. As best as I can sum up, I'd say it suffers from an "identity crisis". This means that it gives you glimpses of some powerful themes, but it never follows through enough to satisfy. It flirts with comedy, with drama, with philosophy, but only as a dilettante would; it never jumps boldly into any of those veins.

Several scenes border on profound. The characters introduce some very insightful concepts, but the scenes always seem to cut short before the concepts truly materialize in the dialogue.

For example in one (otherwise great) scene, the girl describes how she has been brought up from the depths of her isolation. Then she injects, something like, "But even if I must return there, then that'll be OK." End scene. WHY? Is it because she has become a stronger person? Or is it because she prefers isolation? Or is it because she is apathetic? Like a fortune cookie with no context, it never gives us a hint how to apply this compelling statement. It's left as an unfinished whimsy.

I suppose this is the same technique used in Impressionism (painting) like the works of Monet where we are shown vague spots & outlines, and it is up to us to fill in the gaps with our imagination. If you like Impressionism, the you may like this film. But if you are more a fan of Classicism (Da Vinci, Rembrandt, even Dali) with its bold strokes and lucid representations, then you'll probably be left as unfulfilled as I was.

Visually, it was nice. The pacing was perfect. It was everything I've come to expect from modern Japanese cinema, but as I said above, it doesn't have the substance to back it up (despite its rich plot). I suggest you check out some of these films if you want to know what I'm talking about: Dolls (2002), Shiki-jitsu (2000), Cha no aji (2004), Warai no daigaku (2004), Shimotsuma monogatari (2004), Swing Girls (2004).

Those are examples of modern Japanese films that dive right into theme (be it drama, philosophy, romance or comedy) and they give you a lot to sink your teeth into. Ever since the days of Kurosawa, I believe this has been the tradition--perhaps the obligation--of Japanese cinema.

I wouldn't call Josee bad, but it's not quite as powerful as its contemporaries.

AFTERTHOUGHT: There's an 11-part Japanese docudrama called "1 Litre of Tears" which I believe handles this subject matter much more powerfully. The music is a little sappy, but the show is worth checking out if you can find it!

This beautiful fairy tale from the shabby quarters of Osaka instantly became one of my favorite flicks of all time when I went to see at at the premiere at Cinequinto in Shibuya on a cold December afternoon in 2003. The cold and noisy streets of Shibuya contrasted the warmth of the cinema and the pleasant music played by Quruli during the credits.

Tsuneo is an easygoing guy who casually sleeps around with girls, works at the local Mahjong Parlour and generally drifts around. A typical Japanese college kid. That is until he literally bumps into Joze. A physically disabled girl who is pushed around in a baby carriage by an old lady (who sleeps at the dinner table throughout most of the movie). Tsuneo is intrigued by this beautiful and surprisingly intelligent young girl. Joze is sarcastic and defensive, but in a very charming manner, and Tsuneo soon becomes a regular visitor at the old lady's shabby house. But is it possible for a guy such as Tsuneo to commit himself to a very special girl such as Joze?

Chizuru Ikewaki's performance as Joze is really extraordinary. The sarcasm and witty remarks mixes really well with her Osaka-dialect and her eccentric exterior, and yet we sense a very sweet and vulnerable girl underneath her shell. Satoshi Tsumabuki also does his job quite well as Tsuneo. The chemistry and intimacy between the two characters as they grow closer to each feels quite real and convincing, and it is entertaining to just watch them interact casually at the same time.

There are so many details that make this movie entertaining. The kid who glares dumbfounded at a naked girl waves at Tsuneo's little brother. The love hotel that turns into the inside of a virtual aquarium when you turn the lights off. The exceedingly delicious-looking food that Joze casually cooks. All these details make this movie a unique and fun experience.

When the movie was over, I found myself entertained by the comic aspects of the movie, but I was also deeply touched by the love story, that seemed so profound and real. This movie is both a light, romantic comedy as well as an intimate story about two people who develop and evolve through their relationship. In this regard, it is thematically similar to recent films such as "Lost in Translation" (2003), "Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind" (2004) and the Japanese "Vibrator" (2003).

"Joze to tora to sakana tachi" is a rare and unique film experience. I implore you to see it.

This is a small masterpiece, one of the best films released in 2004. On the cover, it's an unlikely romance between an easy-going college boy and a captivating girl who is disabled from the waist down, but it doesn't even begin to show how wonderfully astute this film is in dealing with still-youthful emotions of its characters. 'Joze' captures what it's like to be young and in love perfectly, but it's never self-conscious or brash about it; it also deals with the question of disability in a quiet, subtle way, never patronizing it or pandering to its sentimental possibilities. Satoshi Tsumabuki of 'Waterboys' fame plays nicely against type as the well-meaning but shallow Tsuneo, while Chizuru Ikewaki is truly beguiling as the titular heroine. 'Joze' is a romance whose refreshing honesty and quiet courage is so rare these days that it may well go down as one of a kind. It's also one of the very few films to achieve a level of true emotional resonance, with an ending that is both low-key and utterly devastating at the same time. It is a moment that stays in your mind long after you've left the cinema, growing more and more tender as you dwell on it.