Warning: This post may contain spoilers from the film.
Losing a loved one is definitely one of life’s most tragic realities. Because to continue living without those you’ve loved can feel like a stabbing pain that never fades. But moving on from this kind of loss is not improbable; and happiness can still come soon after their passing.
In Miwa Nishikawa’s “The Long Excuse,” this idea of love and loss, pain and joy are placed on full display, as the film follows bestselling author, Sachio Kinugasa’s (Masahiro Motoki) journey from pretending to mourn for his wife, Natsuko’s (Eri Fukatsu) death, to discovering the joys of living for others.
The Long Excuse is a beautiful and honest portrayal of the struggles many individuals face when it comes to dealing with grief. And here are a few ways the film mirrored reality:
Moving on varies for every person
Not everyone’s response to loss is the same. For some, getting over and moving on is as easy as breaking an egg. But for others, it’s a grueling and torturous task they must conquer.
In The Long Excuse, when Sachio hears of his wife’s untimely death, he feels almost nothing. But the character, Yoichi Omiya (Pistol Takehara) contrasts his demeanor and immediately breaks down upon the mere mention of his late wife’s name. These two character reactions effortlessly depict the varying levels of grief a person experiences after loss — thereby making it that much more believable to the audience watching the film.
People have the potential to change
Despite popular opinion, people do have the potential to change. And moviegoers get a glimpse of this, when they watch Sachio’s gradual transformation from being Natsuko’s conceited and unfaithful husband to becoming the caring and nurturing guardian of the Omiya children.
Love and happiness can stem from the most unlikely places
When Sachio first meets the Omiya children, he never expected he’d get attached to them. Later in the film, viewers can see that Sachio has indeed learned to love others through his budding friendship with Yoichi and his children. This onscreen portrayal relays the message that all hope is not lost; and that love and joy can sometimes stem from the most unlikely places.
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Catch more exciting movies like this at the Eigasai Japanese Film Festival, from July 1 to August 29, 2017 in selected cinemas! For more details, visit EigasaiPH.