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Cast:
Takeshi
Kitano
Yusuke
Sekiguchi
Kayoko
Kishmoto
Gidayu
Great
Rakkyo
Ide
Producer:
Takio
Yoshida
Masayuki
Mori
Director:
Takeshi
Kitano
Score:
 
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KIKUJIRO
AKA:
Kikujiro No Natsu
Year:
1999 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Takeshi
Kitano remains one of the most critically appreciated
directors to have hailed from Japan in recent years. Although
having been a fixture in all aspects of Japan's entertainment
industry, it is his films that have created waves throughout
the global cinematic community. Combining the delicate
minimalism of some of his country's best loved directors with
a sometimes savage edge and a surreal humour uniquely his own,
Kitano has concocted an unusual style that has been imitated
by many. 'Kikujiro' was to be a departure from his usual
examinations of crime and proved to be a major success at film
festivals around the world.
Masao
is a young Japanese boy who lives in relative happiness with
his doting grandmother. With the summer break arriving and his
school friends leaving on holiday, Masao finds himself alone
during his holidays and in need of companionship. Masao's
father has died and his mother is working in a distant
Japanese town so that she can provide money for her young son.
Not having seen her for such a long time, the young boy
decides to pack up his precious belongings and make the
arduous journey to see his mother. A married couple, friends
of his grandmother, happen upon his plight though and the
waster of a husband Kikujiro (Kitano) is told to accompany
Masao on the odyssey. Kikujiro proves himself an incapable
carer when he wastes the money for the trip on his gambling
addiction and offers little comfort for his innocent charge.
After a chain of misadventures on the way, a peculiar bond is
formed and the usually repellent Kikujiro is offered a glimmer
of redemption. Indeed he sees much in Masao's torment that
reminds him of his own childhood and the mission therefore
becomes a chance for both parties to find answers. On arriving
at the home of Masao's mother, the expected reunion takes an
unexpected turn and Kikujiro needs to draw on his own humanity
to solve a thorny dilemma.
The
vicious side of Kitano's other work is thankfully moved aside
in this sensitive and often hilarious portrait of families.
Even so, the director isn't afraid to touch on some darker
issues and weaves a multitude of tones and themes into the
narrative. Lesser film-makers could barely cope with the main
storyline of Kikujiro never mind the deeper subtexts used
here. Kitano again draws on his skillful use of cut-scenes and
moments of absolute tranquillity to develop an emotion; one
frame contains more resonance than any screenplay could ever
come close to, imitating the finest artists. Unlike many
Hollywood takes on a similar subject, 'Kikujiro' prides itself
on its unpredictability and genuine heart. Yet again, credit
must go to Takeshi Kitano for drawing on characters who breath
such energy into the film. Kikujiro himself is not the most
pleasant of men, but reveals some hidden sides to his personality
throughout the course as do many of the players that appear
along the way. This often makes for spellbinding moments of
comedy and tension.
'Kikujiro'
benefits greatly from its two sublime leads. Kitano plays a
very similar role to his usual deadbeats, but infuses Kikujiro
with a lot more warmth. Yusuke Sekiguchi as Masao is a
revelation in the role; without using this as too much of an
attack on Hollywood (I do actually watch U.S. films as well!),
it's impossible to imagine such a fragile performance from one
of their starlets. The locations also stand as a 'character'
in this creation, the deserted and lonely areas of Japan used
acting as a perfect metaphor for Masao. Simply put, this is a
triumph that is essential viewing. 4 stars, but likely to go
up to 5 after repeated viewings.
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