Movie Digest
Midori is a cut-out artist who is in her late 30s. She has several anxieties about her future and what lies in store for her ahead. Takano is a 25 year old bureaucrat who works in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. He is someone who has very heavy workload which led him to become lethargic in his workplace. One day, he stumbles upon a list of people who died of suicide due to temporary employment; He soon becomes interested in the story of a 25 year old man on that list and begins to dig into his story to understand his background and the possible causes for such a drastic decision. The film is based on a collection of poems called Kashu Kassoro by Shinichiro Hagihara.
The Feel-Good Part
The film is crafted with incredible detail and sensitivity, which is commendable in a time where plots like these are sensationalised and vague. The details provide an immersive viewing experience as it helps the audience connect with the characters and the setting of the film. The subject matter is quite sensitive and is handled well throughout the film. It expresses the themes and plot with empathy for the characters and people who go through horrible situations like these in real time. The plot is also quite realistic and is handled with real time consequences in mind, which is refreshing to watch. The score of the film adds a lot of character and flavour to the plot as it is well produced and goes well with the tone of the story. Despite being a grim subject, the ending of the film leaves viewers with a sense of hope and newfound enthusiasm to be kind and happy.
The Disappointing Factor
The film is quite heavy and may not be to everyone’s taste because of this. The tone is sorrowful and realistic, so those looking for escapism may not enjoy this as much. Additionally, the story is quite difficult to follow for the first quarter of the film as not much is explained at the beginning. This is why viewers may be detested from sticking with the film. The plot also overly complicates a simple enough story, which can come off as convoluted and pretentious.
In-Depth Analysis
The film is quite heavy and does justice to the subject matter it aims to tackle. It is realistic and empathetic, which leaves viewers with a sense of hope despite the negatives. Films like these are rare to come by as there is a certain amount of desensitisation to stories of mental illness and suicide.
Star Power
All the performances were excellent. The cast delivers their respective characters with nuance. Their performances are subtle, which fit the overall feel of the film, which is great to see.
Overall Opinion
The Runway is definitely a change iof pace and may not be up to everyone’s taste. Those who enjoy deep films with a message and some mystery will find this intriguing.
