WHAT A LOVELY DEPARTURE

A SCENE FROM DEPARTURES.

I can't remember the last time I watched such a perfect mix of humor, tenderness, and mournfulness blended with an absolutely wonderful cast, beautiful cinematography, and music. With a simple click above, you are given just a brief introduction into the lives of Daigo and Daigo's new boss, Ikuei Sasaki. A tender-hearted wife, a quirky and sometimes tragically sad co-worker, and the numerous families Daigo aids complete this wonderful, much-deserved Oscar winner. I can't think of one weakness in this film. Masahiro Motoki creates a character who is equal parts somber, naive, and sweet. That's right. Sweet. He has just about the nicest face I've seen around. I don't know that I would want to see him in anything where he were cast as anything else. The viewer is quickly embraced by the odd journey Daigo sets out on.
I remember seeing the preview and waiting anxiously for it to come to my local theater. It would have been one of the rare instances where I got watch one of the nominated foreign films before the Oscars aired. For whatever reason, I missed it in the theater and then quickly added it to my Netflix queue. With well over 200 titles on that list, it was soon forgotten. I recently went home to Michigan and my mother asked if I wanted to watch it with her. She had raved to me about it which meant there was no hesitation in my answer. I'm so glad I was able to share yet another in a long line of great films with her.
I could continue, but I don't think you should wait any longer. Quick, queue it now or, if you have a spare 2 hours and the ability to do so, watch it instantly at netflix. I'll say it now, "your welcome".