47/21
A repressed matriarch and unfortunately overwhelming circumstances – a disturbing earthquake, crippling debts, a dying ex-husband, a furious colleague and her son’s girlfriend – drive her to the brink. The title “Hamon” is a standard Japanese word, literally meaning “ripple” and metaphorically – the effect that each of us has on others. This is repeatedly emphasized in this film, with scenes in which the principals – wife, husband, son, etc. – stand in a shallow pond, and the waves emanating from one character spread out in the usual circular pattern to reach the others. An interesting enough visualization of interpersonal relationships, but nothing that could be applied to any film involving people. Or, indeed, any living organism. The arc of the film traces the suffering of a Japanese housewife who has to cope with the sudden disappearance of her husband, the death of her husband’s father, the escape of her husband. an only child’s son to university and then a career as far as one can travel without leaving Japan (except Okinawa), and then the reappearance of said missing child’s husband. Among other events. There’s a fair amount of humor, a fair amount of bato, some awkward scenes with the deaf fiancé who the son brings home unannounced. I think it was worth watching even before the last scene, which was surprising, thought-provoking, exhilarating, actually quite wonderful. Ouch!