Recommendations
THE TASTE OF TEA
This is the best movie you’ll never see.
Given to me as a birthday present without so much as a synopsis from my Boston University graduate and screenwriter cousin, I already knew this film was worth me buying a multi-region dvd player just to watch it. It took him two years to get a hold of, and he had to import it from Japan. All the credit of this goes to him.
A 50 ft tall six year old girl sits on top of the family house, alone in the twilight, staring at the moon. A train pops out of a teenage boy’s forehead, only to float away into the clouds. A sunflower magically grows and expands until it consumes a solar system. These are only a few of the majestic images to be found in this movie. Directed by Katsuhito Ishii of Sharkskin Man and Peach Hip Girl and Party 7 fame, The Taste of Tea (Cha no Aji) allows us a glimpse at a kooky Japanese family living peacefully in the countryside. Living peacefully, that is, only at first glance. Each family member has an obstacle to tackle and overcome, and each adventure is revealed at a beautiful, leisurely pace. The six year old daughter has a mysterious, giant doppleganger of herself that silently follows her wherever she goes, and she’s dying to be rid of it for good. The 16 year old son struggles to overcome his phobia of girls — the origin of which is told in a hysterical fashion — when he falls in love with a beautiful classmate who has an oddly endearing smoky voice. The uncle’s, father’s, and mother’s, brother in law’s, and grandfather’s journeys are revealed later in a creatively hushed fashion.
Speaking of pacing… yes, this movie is slow, which will probably dissuade many from enjoying it. I hope I’m wrong in saying that, because it’s so rewarding to watch in its entirety. When so many movies nowadays focus on what is horrible about the world we live in, or instead offer a quick laugh that leaves you feeling awfully shallow and stupid afterwards, Cha No Aji ended with me feeling genuinely happy. I looked at my crappy, trash-ridden street as if it were something beautiful and new that I’d never seen before. Me! Dark, cynical ol’ me! How did it do this?
Because, I think, each frame of this movie was written, filmed, and acted with extreme love and care. This film is close to the director/writer’s heart, and it’s evident. Each frame — even the bizarre, zany ones — practically drips with adoring attention. Ishii, usually known for his violent, wacky mobster/manga films (he even played a big part with the creation of the animated sequence in Kill Bill Vol. I) has with this film created a milestone that is truly, honestly touching.
The film contains probably one of the best ensemble performances that I’ve ever seen. No actor tries to upstage or overshadow another. Even the children, with Maya Banno’s serene, meditative performance; and Takahiro Sato’s geeky, lovestruck character, amaze. Asano Tadanobu, who is consistent with his incredible work in each of his films, takes part in probably the best-acted awkward scene that I’ve ever observed.
The cinematography is… heh… unbelievably good. Usually I find nature imagery in movies to be forced and pretentious (like the shots of moss in Hulk (don’t worry, Ang Lee, you still rock my world)), but the world in Cha No Aji is filmed with such love and appreciation that you you can barely take your eyes off it.
What can future filmmakers of the world take from this movie?
Writers: Write something close to your heart. This may seem obvious, but I think many people write to try to please the masses. Trying to please the world at the expense of what makes you… you… is always a mistake.
Directors: Do you love your project? Do you love your cast? If not, then why are you wasting your precious time and butt-loads of money? And if you love your project and the people you’re working with… trust them enough to be lax and give them the freedom to express themselves. Filmmaking is not like writing a book. Filmmaking is a collaboration, so the project will never end up exactly like you imagined it, so surround yourself with people you like working with and have a blast… because it’ll show in the end result.
Actors: Listen. Listen to the other people in the scene. REALLY listen to them. Each actor has something interesting to present, and if you’re attentive enough to notice it, it’ll better your performance.
If any of you want to watch this, and correct my statement “The Best Move You’ll Never See” let me know. I can set up a viewing for us at some point.
THE TASTE OF TEA
agreed.