In the dramatic comedy Tokyo Godfathers, three homeless people rescue a baby from a dumpster, and set about to find its mother. Funny but also dark and violent in places (one scene will make you think of A Clockwork Orange), the movie is ultimately heart warming and will stick with you. I’ve only seen it once, but this might be my new favorite Christmas classic.
In particular it stands out because director Satoshi Kon had to convince the studio to let him spend seven million bucks to make a movie where the three main characters are homeless people. Think about the number of movies you have seen with that distinction! (Yes, it’s available in English if you absolutely must but the original voice acting is great so I prefer the subtitles.)
I showed this movie to my niece, and she responded; “Japanese movies are really different!” And she’s definitely right about that, but they are not all the same with each other. Tokyo Godfathers is a complex story, but it’s sort of chaotic action-comedy. Godzilla Minus One is a deeply nuanced live-action film. The Ancient Magus’ Bride has a mythic feel to it. Blue Period is an exploration of art and learning. There’s a lot to find out.
georgewiman 