Deep uncertainty, lingering doubts, chronic health problems, and severe PTSD are forefront in the narrative of survivors of Hiroshima struggling to return to a normal life years after the bombing. As a viewer, even these generally pale in comparison to the absolutely horrific flashbacks to the immediate aftermath of the bombing as survivors navigate the ruined city. The wretched incongruities of life and death that populate the narrative are difficult to stomach, and I can hardly say that 'Black rain' is an enjoyable movie experience. But it is roundly excellent, and tells a dire story that remains very important to tell. This is well worth two hour of anyone's time.
There is a definite narrative here, relating the effort of a man and his wife to seek a husband for their niece. However, the film is much more a portrait of people trying to find peace with what they have suffered, and continue to suffer. In that telling - though punctuated by moments of grisly, terrible remembrance - the picture broadly maintains a flat, detached tone, letting the tableau speak for itself. And it surely does, in no small part thanks to a fantastic cast, all slipping into their roles so readily that it feels like they and their characters are one and the same. Every instance of anxiety, grave concern, heartfelt compassion, and tired resignation is realized with an ease and dexterity that defies the inherent artifice of the medium. Special mention must be made for Yoshiko Tanaka, as hapless young woman Yasuko, and Kazuo Kitamura, as her uncle Shigematsu; together forming the center of the tale, they above all are bring extraordinary nuanced range to their portrayals.
Moreover, every aspect of the production is outstanding. Sound design, set design and filming locations, costume design - and particularly where applied in specific instances, lighting, practical effects, hair, makeup, and more. The core narrative is quietly engrossing and increasingly heartbreaking as the human drama plays out, and scenes depicting Hiroshima in the war are visceral and devastating. Whether one is assessing the writing, direction, technical craft, or acting, 'Black rain' is all but flawless from start to finish. If in the middle portion of the runtime the picture is perhaps not wholly engaging, it's only to prime viewers for the home stretch, where the inexorably tragic totality of the story comes fully to bear. In both the harrowing bang that opens 'Black rain' and in the sorrowful whimper that ends it the movie is profoundly affecting, and between these bookends the attempt at resuming ordinary life fits neatly and, in retrospect, all the more poignantly.
Between the tone adopted throughout, scenes of awful carnage, and the very personal adversity that define the title, this is hardly going to be for everyone. It's not pleasant, and "entertaining" is not a good word to describe this movie, either. It is, however, wondrously absorbing, at length tremendously impactful, and greatly satisfying as a viewer. For anyone open to the acutely distressing nature of events that such films make manifest, this earns a very strong recommendation - yet even at that, given the direct connection to abhorrent war crimes and their lasting effects, I think it's safe to say 'Black rain' becomes essential. The more I think on it, the more I truly appreciate this; if you have the opportunity to watch, don't pass.
There is a definite narrative here, relating the effort of a man and his wife to seek a husband for their niece. However, the film is much more a portrait of people trying to find peace with what they have suffered, and continue to suffer. In that telling - though punctuated by moments of grisly, terrible remembrance - the picture broadly maintains a flat, detached tone, letting the tableau speak for itself. And it surely does, in no small part thanks to a fantastic cast, all slipping into their roles so readily that it feels like they and their characters are one and the same. Every instance of anxiety, grave concern, heartfelt compassion, and tired resignation is realized with an ease and dexterity that defies the inherent artifice of the medium. Special mention must be made for Yoshiko Tanaka, as hapless young woman Yasuko, and Kazuo Kitamura, as her uncle Shigematsu; together forming the center of the tale, they above all are bring extraordinary nuanced range to their portrayals.
Moreover, every aspect of the production is outstanding. Sound design, set design and filming locations, costume design - and particularly where applied in specific instances, lighting, practical effects, hair, makeup, and more. The core narrative is quietly engrossing and increasingly heartbreaking as the human drama plays out, and scenes depicting Hiroshima in the war are visceral and devastating. Whether one is assessing the writing, direction, technical craft, or acting, 'Black rain' is all but flawless from start to finish. If in the middle portion of the runtime the picture is perhaps not wholly engaging, it's only to prime viewers for the home stretch, where the inexorably tragic totality of the story comes fully to bear. In both the harrowing bang that opens 'Black rain' and in the sorrowful whimper that ends it the movie is profoundly affecting, and between these bookends the attempt at resuming ordinary life fits neatly and, in retrospect, all the more poignantly.
Between the tone adopted throughout, scenes of awful carnage, and the very personal adversity that define the title, this is hardly going to be for everyone. It's not pleasant, and "entertaining" is not a good word to describe this movie, either. It is, however, wondrously absorbing, at length tremendously impactful, and greatly satisfying as a viewer. For anyone open to the acutely distressing nature of events that such films make manifest, this earns a very strong recommendation - yet even at that, given the direct connection to abhorrent war crimes and their lasting effects, I think it's safe to say 'Black rain' becomes essential. The more I think on it, the more I truly appreciate this; if you have the opportunity to watch, don't pass.