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Reviews
Watashi no otoko (2014)
Outstanding, Disturbing Take on Survival
"My Man" is sure to turn off a lot of people. It deals with some difficult subjects, and does so in such a novel way... I don't blame the other couple reviews for being disgusted with it. But I don't think it was ever exploitative.
Fumi Nikaido co-starred in this and also another similar, different take on post-tsunami life, "Himiko". "Himiko" is also a great film, and she's just as good in it, although you'd almost have a hard time recognizing her from one to the other, even where she is supposed to be the same age. She's a great actress and she obviously likes to take risks and work with innovative directors.
I have to admit it was a bit weird seeing Tadanobu Asano looking so old. I suppose some of it, in the same way Nikaido is made up to look younger, so it was with him. But still... I guess we all get old but gah! Anyway, he's also in fine form here. I can't say I've ever seen a film where he wasn't.
Beautiful cinematography, wonderful acting, novel storytelling, deliberate pacing. If you want all those things from a movie, you can hardly go wrong with this one.
But it *is* morally ambiguous while taking on taboo subject matter, and it won't pander to those who crave a fast-moving narrative.
8/10