★ 9 / 10
An underappreciated treasure, thoughtful and heartwarming
I_Ailurophile
One of the most striking things about the novel and anime film 'I want to eat your pancreas' is the way that Sakura cheerfully inserted herself into the…
One of the most striking things about the novel and anime film 'I want to eat your pancreas' is the way that Sakura cheerfully inserted herself into the protagonist's life, practically forcing him into being her friend. For as curious as this feature is as it begins, and for plainly quirky as it is as the length progresses, much the same swiftly seems to be true of protagonist Sawa and the elderly people she meets: earnestly helping them with her empathy and skills as a caregiver, but also invariably benefiting from whatever hospitality comes in turn, whether they offer it or she takes it. The tenor of '0.5 mm' begins to crystallize within the first hour, and I'd be plainly lying if I said it wasn't charming in its offbeat yet warmhearted sensibilities. The runtime of over three hours is daunting, yet the picture is oh so smartly crafted, and it's honestly better than I could have hoped it would be. It won't appeal to all comers, but I think it would be a sore mistake to pass this up if one has the opportunity to watch.More substantial drama rears its head periodically with whatever matters trouble Sawa, and her acquaintances, yet by and large the tone here is gentle and pleasant, if also a tad eccentric. I can't speak to the source material as filmmaker Ando Momoko writes and directs, adapting her own novel, but I can only presume the movie faithfully follows from the book, and it is frankly a treasure. Ando gives us a low-key brilliant tableau of directionless Sawa finding direction by coming to the aid of lonely, unfortunate seniors, whether they like it or not, and in the process her needs and theirs are met beyond what either could have anticipated. Plot development is casual and sometimes all but lackadaisical, but the story is sincere, compelling, and absorbing as Sawa stumbles forward and changes lives. The characterizations are unexpectedly smart, well-rounded, and wholehearted, rather suggesting Ando's own intimate personal experiences with people, and much the same could be said of the dialogue among scene writing that's unfailingly rich and vibrant.Actually, the longer '0.5 mm' goes on, the more it comes across that for as outwardly simple and uncomplicated as it may seem, there was heart and care poured into it that most titles can only dream of. The writing is a marvel, and Ando's direction no less so, even for as little experience as she has apparently had in film-making. Even as the tone varies slightly, from one moment to the next the comedy-drama is at once remarkably soft, sweet, and endearing in its storytelling - a vibe resolutely maintained through Ando's vision - and precise but measured, and meticulous but natural, in how the material is realized. Sawa's tireless determination and insistent compassion, honest and cheerful but mindful and calculated, carry the stalwart airs of being firm and unyielding yet pliant, and as the narrative smoothly flows onward the same verbiage could be applied to the direction and the flick overall. To my great pleasure, this extends just as well to to the acting, and I can't overstate what a joy the cast is. Dexterously navigating the amorphous spaces between lighthearted candor and the more "difficult" underlying themes and ideas, everyone involved gives an outstanding performance of impeccable range, nuance, emotional depth, personality, and indeed physicality; the characters feel achingly real, believable, relatable, and sympathetic. No matter how big or small their parts Tsugawa Masahiko, Kusabue Mitsuko, Sakata Toshio, Tsunogae Kazue, and others lend stupendous vitality to the proceedings, to say nothing of star Ando Sakura, whose portrayal of Sawa is a steady, deeply gratifying anchor at all times.Meanwhile, for as truly enchanting as '0.5 mm' is in all the most important capacities - almost poetic in its exploration of human connection, and the less visible hardships that we can overcome together - the otherwise craftsmanship of the movie is no less superb. Not only is Ando's direction impeccable by way of realizing the saga with exquisite intelligence, but she illustrates the keen eye of an artist in orchestrating shots and scenes, making this easy on the eyes as we sit through its considerable length. This is surely a credit as well to cinematographer Haibara Takahiro, whose crisp, vivid, and quietly dynamic contribution is just as fetching in capturing every detail for us to see. These include a veritable minor tour around Kochi Prefecture, where this was filmed, giving us eyefuls of the lovely region, and the terrific production design and art direction that infuse an affable sense of homelike comfort into the tableau. The costume design, hair, and makeup are splendid; TaQ's music is sparing and light but an excellent complement where it does tickle our ears; even the lighting is notably shrewd. One surprising result of all this is that 197 minutes seem to pass much more quickly than one would assume, but all the while the viewing experience is sublime.At the outset I found myself pondering how Ando could possibly draw out the scenario into a film of such a runtime, but the fact is that the shining spirit of humanity seen in Sawa and her acquaintances makes for something more engrossing than I could have ever assumed. I'll grant that there are times when the narrative is a little less sure-footed, such as a long scene between Sawa and Makabe Yoshio right as we head into the last hour. To that point, the last approximate third is surely rockier than the preceding length as there's a distinct tonal shift into far more severely dramatic territory, and the storytelling is less focused. Even at that, however, the last portion is still part and parcel of what Ando had been doing all along, and if it breaks with the dominant approach to temporarily be more acutely potent, I can appreciate what the filmmaker was doing. All told the picture may fall just shy of being perfect, yet for the level on which it operates, the disparity is functionally meaningless. I sat to watch with no foreknowledge or expectations, and I'm all but blown away but how wonderful this is. Tender, heartwarming, and rewarding, as far as I'm concerned '0.5 mm' is an underappreciated gem, and I'd have no qualms in suggesting it to just about anyone. Between the overall muted nature of the feature and its length this isn't something one can approach lightly, but it's well worth checking out if one has the chance, and I'm happy go give '0.5 mm' my very high and hearty recommendation!
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★ 9 / 10
0.5 mm - A Heartfelt and Thought-Provoking Journey Through Life
StillGoingStrong
If you're looking for a movie that will challenge you, 0.5 mm is the perfect choice. This 2014 Japanese film is a heartfelt and thought-provoking journey…
If you're looking for a movie that will challenge you, 0.5 mm is the perfect choice. This 2014 Japanese film is a heartfelt and thought-provoking journey through the life of a middle-aged caregiver named Sawa.
The movie is beautifully shot, and the acting is superb. The storyline is unique and engaging, and it takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. The film explores themes of loneliness, compassion, and self-discovery, and it does so in a way that is both touching and relatable.
One of the strengths of 0.5 mm is the way it handles its characters. Each character is well-developed and given a unique personality. This makes it easy for the audience to become invested in their stories and care about their outcomes.
The film's pacing is also noteworthy. It takes its time with the story, allowing the characters to breathe and the audience to absorb the emotional impact. The slower pacing may not be for everyone, but it adds to the film's overall impact.
One potential weakness of the movie is that it deals with heavy themes, which can be difficult to watch at times. However, the film balances these moments with lighter ones, creating a nuanced portrayal of life's complexities.
Overall, 0.5 mm is a must-see for fans of foreign films and anyone looking for a deep and emotional journey. I give it a solid 9 out of 10.
Fun fact: The director of the film, Momoko Ando, is the daughter of the famous Japanese actor, Bunta Sugawara.
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thanks freeman