A Bride for Rip Van Winkle (2016) (Blu-ray) (Director's Cut) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version) Blu-ray Region A

Kuroki Haru plays Nanami, a part-time teacher who loses her job due to being too quiet and meek with her pupils. Retreating into her online life, she meets a man called Tetsuya (Jibiki Go, Unforgiven) on social media, and after a brief period of dating the two get engaged. Not having many guests to invite to the wedding, Nanami engages the services of mysterious online fixer Amuro (Ayano Go), who hires a collection of extras to act as relatives on the big day. Sadly her happiness doesn't last, and after she starts to suspect Tetsuya of cheating, an odd series of events sees her being accused of infidelity by his mother. On her own again, Nanami allows Amuro to set her up with a job working as a maid at a large, empty mansion, where she meets fellow housekeeper Mashiro (Cocco), and the two form a close relationship.

A Bride for Rip Van Winkle has been screened in several different versions – the 118 minute theatrical version, the 180 minute Director's Cut, and the four hour long full edition. This review refers to the Director's Cut, which at three hours may well sound intimidating for some viewers. Thankfully, though it does meander, the film covers a great deal of ground, and even at this length, Iwai Shunji manages to hold the interest and engage throughout. While it deals with Japanese society, the film's themes are universally applicable, focusing on isolation, loneliness and angst, examining how people connect, or more importantly, how they don't. The struggle to form a personal identity in the internet age is a key concern here, and through Nanami Iwai does a fascinating job of exploring the different ways in which people define themselves and allow themselves to be defined and controlled by others. Avoiding melodrama, the film has a cynical, at times bleak feel, though still finds humour in it at least some of its situations, in way which compliments rather than undermining its drama.

It’s not always an easy watch, Iwai clearly aiming for poetry rather than a narrative drive in the traditional sense, and the film does wander along at a leisurely pace, with long stretches that really don't add up to much – patience is definitely required. Similarly, Nanami is likely to prove a frustrating protagonist for many, being submissive and passive to a fault, spending most of the film seeming to accept being pushed around by other characters, happy to have her life orchestrated for her by Amuro. However, the way in which she sleepwalks through life fits precisely the point Iwai is making, and the various trials and humiliations she undergoes as a result are clearly down to her inability to be more assertive – whether or not this is her fault is left up to the viewer to decide, Iwai never being judgemental or harsh. It helps that Kuroki Haru is excellent in the role, managing to make Nanami sympathetic and interesting, suggesting a depth beneath her placid exterior and making her interactions and relationships with the other characters compelling. The film is surprisingly and powerfully moving during the last third, her bond with Mashiro yielding substantial emotional rewards, all the more so thanks to Iwai's subtle approach.

The film also impresses visually, being quietly gorgeous and benefiting from some great soft focus camera work and skilful use of light. This gives things an at times surreal feel, in particular during the scenes in the gothic-looking mansion, its rooms filled with strangely arranged collections of items. Filled with pale colours which match its themes well, the film features classical music throughout, and though this does become a bit repetitive in places, it fits well enough.

Due to its length and almost abstract temperament, A Bride for Rip Van Winkle probably isn't a film for everyone, and viewers looking for a more traditional cinematic experience need not apply. However, fans of Iwai Shunji will find a great deal to enjoy and obsess over, and the film's length never feels bloated or unnecessary, being more than justified by its understated richness and profound ruminations on modern life.

by James Mudge - EasternKicks.com