- Director : Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Actors : Sakura Ando, Eita Nagayama, Soya Kurokawa, Hinata Hiiragi, Yuko Tanaka
- Studio : Well Go Usa
- MPAA rating : PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
- Media Format : Widescreen
- Run time : 2 hours and 6 minutes
- Release date : April 9, 2024
Continuing the
tradition of filmmakers like Yasujirô Ozu, acclaimed Japanese director Kore-eda
Hirokazu has a subtle and understated approach to storytelling, even with
narratives that could easily slip into melodrama. At the heart of every
Hirokazu film is an empathetic presentation of the human experience, regardless
of whether the story is focused on a universally relatable situation or something
extraordinary, like the premise of Like Father, Like Son (2013). Even when
the narrative stretches what is believable, somehow Hirokazu manages to make it
feel like a slice of life with the realism captured by his execution.
In addition to
the restraint and dedication to realism likely to be associated with Ozu,
Hirokazu’s Monster has a narrative structure similar to an iconic film
from another of Japan’s legendary filmmakers, Akira Kurosawa. Kurosawa’s Rashomon
(1950) tells the story of an event from multiple different perspectives to show
shifting views of the truth. While Monster also presents events from
three different perspectives, this is to slowly reveal the truth rather than offer
up varying sides. Only by seeing events from each character is the audience
able to see the full picture with clarity.
The first view
is from single mother Saori Mugino (Sakura Andō), who suddenly becomes
concerned when her son Minato
(Sōya Kurokawa) begin behaving strangely. When Minato comes home from school
with injuries and missing one of his shoes, Saori becomes concerned he is being
bullied and seeks answers at his school. Despite an apathetic response from the
school principal (Yūko Tanaka), Saori is convinced that Minato’s homeroom
teacher, Michitoshi Hori (Eita Nagayama), may have been abusive to her son.
When Hori claims Minato is actually bullying another young boy named Yori
Hoshikawa (Hinata Hiiragi), the film shifts to his perspective and slowly
reveals more clues to the mystery about the young boy’s change in behavior. However,
it isn’t until the third act from Minato’s perspective that the truth becomes
clear.
The power in
Hirokazu’s film doesn’t come from big dramatic moments, though there are a few
of those sprinkled throughout the narrative. Instead, it is the subtle
performances the filmmaker elicits from his cast, especially the younger ones,
which leaves a lasting memory. The realism of human interactions has been a
consistent strength of Hirokazu as a filmmaker, and Monster serves as
confirmation of this fact.
The Blu-ray
release of Monster is surprisingly sparse considering the critical acclaim
the film has received. There are no special features beyond a trailer and
optional English language track (though purists will know to watch the film
with subtitles). Even the high definition presentation is somewhat unnecessary for
this film, but serves as the best reason to purchase the Blu-ray.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 9/10
Historical
Significance: 7/10
Special Features: 1/10
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