The Viewer's Commentary

Directed by: Satoshi Kon, Sh­­ogo Furuya

Produced by: Masao Maruyama, Masao Takiyama, Shinichi Kobayashi, Taro Maki

Written by: Satoshi Kon, Keiko Nobumoto (screenplay); Satoshi Kon (story)

Edited by: Takeshi Seyama

Cinematography by: Katsutoshi Sugai

Music by: Keiichi Suzuki, Moonriders

Starring: Aya Okamoto, Toru Emori, Yoshiaki Umegaki, Satomi Korogi, Shozo Iizuka, Seizo Kato, Hiroyama Ishimaru, Ryuji Saikachi, Yusaku Yara, Kyoko Terase, Mamiko Noto, Rikiya Koyoama

Year: 2003

It’s funny how so many Christmas movies are about rich, good-looking people celebrating this time of giving together and learning life lessons and/or finding love together. You would think that more movies would focus on those who are most in need, right? I think the problem is that somewhere in the movie making system, someone thinks that nobody wants to watch a story that might potentially depress them during a time of year when a lot of people actually are struggling and suffering, and so instead we get tripe like The Family Stone, wherein a rich awful family emotionally tortures a rich career woman who is dating their golden boy son in the confines of their ideal home, and somehow we’re supposed to grow to like these snobs. (I thought of reviewing the film this year, but I gave out so many negative reviews, I couldn’t possibly bring myself to subject you and me to that, so let this be a little teaser, perhaps, for next year.) Read more…