Still Walking (Aruitemo, aruitemo) (Japanese)
The Story:
The Yokohama clan gets together every year at the elderly parents' seaside-town home to commemorate an eldest son's death. It's an occasion not looked forward to by all -- or perhaps anyone -- despite general efforts at good cheer. Particularly reluctant are surviving son Ryota (Hiroshi Abe), who feels the brunt of his elderly parents' thinly disguised disapproval of his art-restoration profession and his new bride, Yukari (Yui Natsukawa). She's anxious to impress the in-laws, and have them accept as family her child (Shoehi Tanaka) by her late first husband.
But Ryota's biggest complaint is that his blunt-spoken mother (Kirin Kiki) and, in particular, his gruff father (Yoshio Harada) still treat him like a failure compared to shining-star Junpei, who died saving a drowning child. All their hopes were pinned on him; even long dead, he's the yardstick by which Ryo is judged.
No such expectations are laid on daughter Chinami (You), a garrulous flake whose amiable car-salesman husband (Kazuya Takahashi) and two rambunctious children don't bother brooding over any family conflicts, past or present.
Starring:
Hiroshi Abe, Yoshio Harada, Yui Natsukawa, Kazuya Takahashi, Shohei Tanaka, Hotaru Nomoto
Directed By:
Hirokazu Koreeda
Release:
2008
Watch the Trailer:
