Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:01
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machicko Ono, Yoko Maki, Riri Furanki, Jon Fubuki, Shogen Hwang
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
I find the premise of most Japanese art films rather weird but once in a while, they will produce an unforgettable motion picture so forceful it will tear you into pieces from the inside out. Departures (2008) did that to me and now - LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. It's a simple plot about two 6 year old boys who were accidentally swapped at birth - now their parents faced with the heartbreaking prospect of having to exchange them after they found out about the incident. The highlight of the movie is not the resolution but where it really shines is the character study on each of the parties involved and their relationships (between husband and wife, between the two parents and of course, between the parents and their child). A crisis indeed will reveal the true nature of a man; either to deny and march-on or allow oneself to be broken and pick up the pieces to rebuild his life. There are several scenes in the movie which were too heart wrenching to watch (at least for me) because it reveals who we really are and when faced with the same circumstances, we would probably approach it the same way too. Everything about this picture - tone, pacing, acting, editing, cinematography, score - is nearly perfect. Few movies moved me to tears but this was an exception.
Rating: 9/10
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