Departures - 送行者:禮儀師的樂章

Departures (送行者:禮儀師的樂章) is 2008 film out of Japan. The movie stars Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki, and Kimiko Yo.

The movie is about a cello player, Masahiro Motoki as Daigo Kobayashi, that moves back to his hometown when he is unable to find an orchestra to play for. Daigo's wife, Ryoko Hirosue as Mika Kobayashi, also follows him back without an argument. Daigo starts looking for a job and answers an job ad with a misprinted job description. Daigo inadvertently joins a encoffinment business. Ashamed but unable to turn down the money, Daigo takes the job. Back at home, Daigo hides his job from Mika. Daigo slowly starts to learn the craft of one that does encoffinment. Mika finds out and ask Daigo to quit. But Daigo has a love for the job that he didn't think he had in the beginning. Mika leaves Daigo and goes back to her hometown. But comes back when Mika reveals that she is pregnant. Mika asks again for Daigo to quit and to get a "normal" job. But Mika's heart changes when she sees Daigo perform an encoffinment ceremony.

The movie was well received around the world and won an Oscar last year. I can see why as the movie really goes into character development of its 4 main leads. But specifically Daigo. From his failure as a cello player, to learning a new craft that others look down on, to figuring out how to be a good husband, and the resolution of his childhood parental issues with his mother and father.

I must admit that this film was a tearjerker. It really went out of its way to present death and the families attitude towards the deceased.

I would recommend this film to anyone. But this film is not for children.