1
FumiyaWagi
Australia
The Perfect Japanese Art Film - A Must Watch
This film that will remind viewers of love and loss, but also guide us to appreciate what is special and beautiful in life. Especially cats.
Eight years on from its release, "If Cats Disappeared From The World" maintains its gentle, existentialist, and esoteric appeal, as a possible Japanese homage to Ingmar Bergman's cinematic masterpiece, "The Seventh Seal" (a knight plays chess with Death on the beach), while staying true to Japanese social culture.
Satoh Takeru has enjoyed a powerful career since this film, and is renowned for tackling emotive roles that other actors might find difficult: he can weep big, manly tears and in the same scene, ponder the magical wonder of the universe. And that, my friends, is why he is so in demand today as "The Actor's Actor" and the intellectual person's sex symbol. He turned 35 just a few days ago and has already amassed an amazing acting portfolio. He's headed for Hollywood: watch that space.
Here, the dialogue is beautifully restrained; the music punctuates the scenes with pulsing electronica and gentle piano in alternate scenes of joyful youth and inevitable tragedy. Satoh skillfully balances dual roles, capturing the essence of a dying postman and his irreverent alter ego, amid flashback scenes highlighting the cycle of life.
*** THANK YOU FOR READING! "Follow" to be notified of more reviews. Enjoy! ~Fumiyawagi
28 March 2024
Eight years on from its release, "If Cats Disappeared From The World" maintains its gentle, existentialist, and esoteric appeal, as a possible Japanese homage to Ingmar Bergman's cinematic masterpiece, "The Seventh Seal" (a knight plays chess with Death on the beach), while staying true to Japanese social culture.
Satoh Takeru has enjoyed a powerful career since this film, and is renowned for tackling emotive roles that other actors might find difficult: he can weep big, manly tears and in the same scene, ponder the magical wonder of the universe. And that, my friends, is why he is so in demand today as "The Actor's Actor" and the intellectual person's sex symbol. He turned 35 just a few days ago and has already amassed an amazing acting portfolio. He's headed for Hollywood: watch that space.
Here, the dialogue is beautifully restrained; the music punctuates the scenes with pulsing electronica and gentle piano in alternate scenes of joyful youth and inevitable tragedy. Satoh skillfully balances dual roles, capturing the essence of a dying postman and his irreverent alter ego, amid flashback scenes highlighting the cycle of life.
*** THANK YOU FOR READING! "Follow" to be notified of more reviews. Enjoy! ~Fumiyawagi
28 March 2024
Was this review helpful to you?
