To Each His Own (2017) User Reviews

Nice japanese drama about the meaning of life and work

[schorschi100 · 8/10 · 4 April 2018]

Admittedly I am going through an asian period, and therefore I tend to be positively biased towards nonstandard japanese movies. I watched this movie on a sunday afternoon with no expectations at all and was pleasantly surprised.

First of all it is not a comedy (not even close, why on earth it is marked as one I wonder). The story line depicts an overworked young japanses salesman about to commit suicide, saved at the very last moment by the seemingly carefree Yamamoto. As it turns out Yamamoto is everything but carefree; quite the contrary this encounter turns the saleman's life upside down and makes him reconsider his life's priorities. Their relationship, which can hardly even be termed a friendship, uneleashes a series of eye-opening events, ultimately leading to self-realization and life-reassessment.

The pace is a bit slow, but I did not find the movie boring. Very much unlike western (basic Hollywood) movies, the emotions are not overshown, and the conclusions, although clear and simple, are not given in a predigested way. The main character looks like a looser in our western eyes, but one needs to take into account a completely different society and the strong hierarchies (up to the level of abuse) present therein. The turning point in the life of the salesman comes naturally and the resolution of Yamamoto's identity and past is tantamount with the awakening hope with which the movie ends.

All in all, I think this is an excellent way to pass an evening, think about one's life and perhaps reconsider the one or the other choices of the past.

Good enough

[PennyReviews · 7/10 · 21 August 2018]

For all those who are wondering if this is a boy love movie, honestly, it was more like friendship between two boys than love. The movie overall was good, with a strong theme and a nice plot twist. However, I did find it a little tiring, as it overexploited some scenes to the point that it was just boring to watch. So, other than the thinly spread of the story to match the time of two hours, the film had some great performances and it was moving and enjoyable. The ending was great as well. So 7 out of 10.

Favorite movie

[jimrin · 10 December 2017]

This is now my favorite movie of all-time. It's a story about a disgruntled, depressed office worker Takashi Aoyama who is so fed up with work and how he is treated, he wonders if life is worth living. He's about to fall in front of a passing train when he is miraculously saved by a guy, Yamamoto, who claims to be a schoolmate from grade school. They hang out together and Yamamoto helps Aoyama get a new perspective in life. Things start getting better for Aoyama and he's even doing better at work. Then Aoyama finds out that Yamamoto is not who he claims to be and that he is a guy who 3 years earlier had committed suicide. Things also take a turn for the worse at work and Aoyama is back where he started, wondering if life is worth living. Usually, I feel like you have to care for the characters to enjoy a movie and Aoyama is not the most sympathetic of characters, but both Asuka Kudo (Aoyama) and especially Sota Fukushi (Yamamoto) played their roles well. I had not necessarily been overly impressed with Fukushi's roles in the past (such as the J-drama Kyou wa Kaisha Yasumimasu) but he played his role perfectly here. (My other favorite movie is The Dog Problem with Giovanni Ribisi, in a way, a bit similar in theme.)

This movie is special.

[jansuing · 10/10 · 13 April 2018]

This movie came at the right time in my life. I guess it's safe to say that this little piece of insightful cinema saved me.

But not only does this film effectively inspire hope to those who despair due to the way the prevailing economic system treats its subjects, it is also a sobering critique of capitalism, how it drives people to destroy each other due to competition, and how it ultimately makes those who cannot conform to the values and demands of capitalism feel useless and empty.

This movie has a special place in my heart. Highly recommended.

Really hit home

[dossnake · 9/10 · 10 August 2018]

I would like to preface, this movie IS NOT a comedy.

I was not really expecting anything when I first watched this movie, but what I got was an amazing piece of film that really hit home. This is a movie about the issues of work and personal happiness. The main character, Takashi is in the lowest point of his life, working for a soul-sucking company and under an abusive boss. But through a series of life-changing events and a meeting with a mysterious Yamamoto, Takashi comes out a happier person. This was an emotional movie with a fulfilling ending. I really felt attached to the characters and found the Takashi incredibly relatable to my life. This movie has changed my outlook on life and work. I would recommend this to anyone finding themselves in a rough spot in their own life.

It moved me

[snowyprecipice · 9/10 · 25 March 2019]

This was a sweet movie. Sad, even tragic at times, but very sweet. I couldn't help growing attached to the characters and following the story with emotional investment. As someone feeling very similar to how Takashi felt, it made me cry.

Great little drama

[info-5918 · 9/10 · 5 September 2021]

I hadn't heard about this movie, but watched it not really knowing much about it,or what it expect.

Its a great drama about contemporary Japan, about working in business, and about family and expectations. There were some unexpected turns, and the story unravels in an unexpected way.

A great story about life, family and friendship. Fully recommended.