Written, directed, and edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Still Walking is a 2008 Japanese film that boasts a perfect 100 per cent critics approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, complemented by a smashing 92 per cent audience approval rating.
Widely praised by critics for its harrowing storyline and heartbreaking performances, Still Walking won the Golden Astor for Best Film at the 2008 Mar del Plata International Film Festival.
Grossing $3.51 million at the global box-office, the tear-jerker stars Hiroshi Abe, Yui Natsukawa, You, Kazuya Takahashi, Kirin Kiki, Yoshio Harada, Susumu Terajima, and Ryōga Hayashi. Still Walking is a portrait of the Yokoyama family over roughly 24 hours. The family comes together every year to commemorate the life of their beloved eldest son, Junpei, who drowned while saving a stranger’s life.
On the twelfth commemorative anniversary of Junpei’s passing, Kyohei and Toshiko welcome home their surviving children — younger son Ryota and daughter Chinami. Ryota has recently married a widow who is awkwardly meeting the family for the first time, while Chinami’s husband and children accompany her. What follows is a day of deeply complex and nuanced emotions, felt by each and every character.
The film received glowing praise from critics, with one calling it “a delicate, devastating Japanese tragicomedy”. Another reviewer commented: “Kore-eda’s film is insightful, moving, perceptive, and appropriately complex in the exploration of its subject.”
While a third critic was all praise for the director: “Koreeda’s almost sage-like understanding of what makes modern families tick places him and this wonderful film in the league of Japan’s grand master, Ozu, and you can’t ask for higher praise than that.” A fourth reviewer, who was deeply affected by the film, wrote: “This is a higher order of storytelling, and this gentle, lovely film is impossible to watch without a lump in the throat.”
While another said: “Kore-eda has an extraordinary grasp on his characters, modest people who clearly mean a great deal to him. They will to you, as well.”
Viewers were left equally spellbound with the Japanese film, as one fan commented: “Very few films capture the truth of life’s eventuality as it really is with all its boredom, tragedy, and acceptance of destiny. This is one such film.”
While another viewer felt the film was unlike anything else they’d ever watched: “When someone asks what makes a good movie, I often reference this. The acting is superb and the subtlety in the dialogue welcomes the viewer in to experience the story as though they are part of the gathering. It is a fantastic exploration of the ever-changing generational expectations of a modern family. Beautiful and heartwarming; leaving you content yet deeply moved with the perfectly executed final scene. Unlike anything else I have ever watched.”
A third viewer said: “What a beautiful movie. If you want to see family dynamics portrayed with realism and subtlety, this is pretty much best-in-class.” While one viewer simply called it: “The most favourite movie in my life.”
Still Walking is available to stream for free on BFI Player and can be rented on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video for £3.49.