Movie Digest
Satsuki’s partner dies suddenly, which leads her down an endless spiral of sadness. She thinks about the moon and the shadow phenomenon, which is a popular Korean story that she had heard in a different stage of her life. It is a mysterious phenomenon wherein the living and the dead can reunite at the end of the full moon. The film is an adaption of a short story by Banana Yoshimoto.
The Feel-Good Part
The film perfectly encapsulates the core emotion of the short story, especially the grief and sadness that comes with the loss of a loved one. The filmmaker pays attention to detail and makes the most mundane activity seem meaningful. The Japanese landscape is beautifully shot and sets the film’s tone quite well. There is a deep sense of sadness that is prominent throughout the film. The movie balances the source material’s use of surrealism with the realism required for the audience to connect with the movie and its characters. The characters are unique and hence intriguing. While the characters are often eccentric, they are also profoundly relatable, which makes for an engaging viewing experience. The build-up of the film is excellent as it starts on a light-hearted note, showing all the great moments shared by the protagonists, which helps the audience empathize with the loss the lead is feeling through the rest of the film. The use of film is quite clever as it gives the audience the understanding of catharsis with something universal.
The Disappointing Factor
The film often comes across as self-indulgent as some dialogues feel pretentious. There are many places where the director is trying to create mystery and intrigue, which falls flat as it doesn’t fit the nature of the film. The film may be slow for a lot of viewers, who may not enjoy the change in the sad tone of the film.
In-Depth Analysis
The film takes on a set of complex emotions with eccentric characters trying to get by life after suffering an immense loss. The film sets out to be an empathetic portrayal of loss and grief, which it does exceptionally well. It captures the essence of Banana Yoshimoto’s writing and the importance she gives to the daily life of people. The film is an excellent example of media that is adapted well from its source material while still maintaining its identity as a standalone by being original.
Star Power
All the performances were excellent. The cast delivers their respective characters with nuance, which makes the audience connect with the characters well. The actors playing the side characters must be appreciated for their ability to remain memorable.
Overall Opinion
Moonlight Shadow may not be for everyone, but for people who enjoy slice-of-life stories about people dealing with complex emotions, this is a treat for them.
