Departures (AKA: Okuribito) (DVD) (Japan Version) DVD Region 2

Hirosue Ryoko | Motoki Masahiro | Yoshiyuki Kazuko | Yamazaki Tsutomu

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Customer Review of "Departures (AKA: Okuribito) (DVD) (Japan Version)"

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Average Customer Rating for this Edition: Customer Review Rated Bad 9 - 9.3 out of 10 (3)
Average Customer Rating for All Editions of this Product: Customer Review Rated Bad 9 - 9.5 out of 10 (4)

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Kevin Kennedy
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July 31, 2009

This customer review refers to Departures (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)

Definitely deserves its Academy Award Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10

I feared that "Departures" might be a grim, starchy arthouse film; I found it to be a movingly warm, human, even sentimental movie. Kobayashi Daigo (Motoki Masahiro) is a failed cellist, deep in debt. With his wife Mika (Hirosue Ryoko) in tow and no real plans, he returns to his remote hometown, where he can live rent-free in his late mother's home. There Daigo answers a newspaper ad for a job at an agency which "prepares departures". Daigo suspects that the job pertains to the travel industry, but the ad had a typographical error; the agency actually gets "the departed" ready to be placed in coffins.

Once Daigo overcomes his shock, he finds fulfillment in the job, which involves a ritualized performance in which the preparer shows respect and affection for the dead. When the job is done well, it comforts the family of the deceased. Daigo has found his true calling, but he is too ashamed of his job to tell anyone of it. When the truth leaks out, his wife and friends are horrified. Mika is repulsed by his intimacy with dead bodies and blurts that he has become "unclean". When Daigo balks at leaving his job, she leaves him. Mika, however, returns when she learns that she is pregnant. She again demands that Daigo leave the job, arguing (reasonably enough) that their future child will be humiliated by classmates when they learn of Daigo's job.

Will Daigo leave his job or will he lose his wife? The issue is especially poignant as, at age six, Daigo had been abandoned by his father. The resolution of this dilemma is beautifully conceived and emotionally true. Motoki Masahiro is perfect for the conflicted role of Daigo. Yamazaki Tsutomu (familiar to American audiences as the cowboy hat-wearing truck driver in "Tampopo") gives a brilliantly quirky performance as Daigo's boss. Yoshiyuki Kazuko (so good in "Gabai Granny") is equally charming as the owner of the public bath, the community's glue in both life and death. Yo Kimiko works subtle wonders as the agency's receptionist. Takita Yojiro's direction is nearly flawless and the cinematography of mountainous Yamagata Prefecture is spectacular. I found "Departures" to be a richly enjoyable, thought-provoking, and warm-hearted treat.

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Mossholder
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June 17, 2009

1 people found the following helpful

Outstanding Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10

I saw this movie in Yokohama last November and absolutely loved it. The acting is superb. The characters are human, raw, honest and sensitive. The cinematography captures the beauty of the region and highlights the most sensitive nature of being an "undertaker" in Japan and the stigma surrounding it. And yet, for those whose loved ones have died, this is almost like a ministry to the families. Very touching and moving. I can't wait to get the DVD.

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nimitta
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March 24, 2009

1 people found the following helpful

the Departures Customer Review Rated Bad 8 - 8 out of 10

Congrat ! this movie has won Best Actor Award at the Asian Film Awards.

I would like to see its dvd with English subtitle to be released soon.

great movie and its OST is oso great !

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Cheng Suang Heng
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February 23, 2009

2 people found the following helpful

congrats - oscar best foreign film 2009 Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10

I am very very very delighted that Okuribito (Departures) from Japan has won!
;)
I am thinking of getting the DVD, but it is a pity that the DVD (as reflected now) does not have English subtitles.

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