Aristocrats (2020) User Reviews

Aristocrats

[dc-breedveld · 8/10 · 2 February 2021]

Seen in the IFFRprogram 2021 on this title aristocrats. Great insight in classes in Japanese society in a subtle storytelling about the life of two young woman. Slowly you feel the knot of expectation and tradition getting tighter. With beautiful photography the story is told and and give life to a beautiful story

Beautiful friendship story

[MiguelAReina · 8/10 · 2 February 2021]

A tale in reverse, in which the young woman from a good family is the one who envies the humble girl. But above all, it is a beautiful story of friendship between women. "Wherever you're from, you have great days and days that make you cry." A story of liberation in which class differences become seemingly insurmountable walls, but which can be torn down. An achievement of the director that thrills without artifice.

Director to watch

[tomdickson · 8/10 · 15 February 2022]

Watch as part of jpp Australia thank you!

I really enjoyed this movie in the way I enjoy uzo movies. That slower progression to reveal subtleties of Japanese culture which an outside can never touch.

The trick of this story is that it's takes a feminine view, very even handed, whilst showing the hierarchical society with its taboos and expectations. The slap to face by mother in law when her lineage is betrayed focuses where values are held.

Watch directors previous movie of iron foundry owners daughter to continue this subtle exposure of Japanese class for 20 somethings.

Important critique of social expectations for women, but a bit on the nose

[SimonPlays · 7/10 · 16 February 2022]

The film illustrates the challenges and problems of women in (Japanese) society very well, the expected life paths, the judgement of the older generations, and it holds the viewer's interest well enough. But it feels like every scene straight up tells you what the problem is very literally, there isn't much room for subtlety or character exploration. It feels like a documentary illustrated in examples. Don't get me wrong, the film raises very important points very elaborately, but it reverses the "show, don't tell" principle a bit too often.

What should be the difference between a documentary and a drama dealing with the same problem? The drama should captivate, and naturally guide the audience to think about these issues because they care about the characters. A scene should not just tell a situation, it should also leave room for interpretation and interesting, surprising character interactions.

Again, don't get me wrong, the characters here are still interesting, the story is well put together, and also visually there is a lot to appreciate. It just felt a bit too much like a lecture.

But if I ever had to show someone problems in Japanese society, especially for women, maybe as a conversation starter, and it had to be in the form of a film/drama, this would be a very good choice.

And with the visual elements and the important societal questions asked, I definitely don't regret watching this film at all.

Nice work of a life being

[salaivars · 7/10 · 14 February 2022]

An interesting work of common life cinema about the different Japanese social classes, especially the political class. A sincere and feminine look that does not fall into the gratuitous drama or the grotesque. This year Hamaguchi surname is going to be in everyone mouth, but Sode Yukiko leaves him poe behind. It is not necessary to fall into the snobbish and artificial to tell a good story.

Life And Love Among The Classes.

[net_orders · 6/10 · 26 February 2022]

A bit of a contrived idea about the lives of two women from decidedly different socio-economic levels often intersecting in Tokyo is appealing presented by Director Yukiko Sode who also wrote the script. The principal message seems to be that no matter how rich or poor you may be, you will experience similar upsides and downers in life. However, the plot is really a riff on the ancient myth that money can't buy happiness (which is espoused, of course, by folks who don't have any!). Acting is convincing especially the scene involving the first arranged meeting between the rich female protagonist and a seemingly bashful super rich guy whom she will eventually marry, at least for a while. The ending teases that these two now divorced may still be mutually attracted. Many scenes involve eating, but the actors never put on weight! The Tokyo Tower is often in the background to emphasize that the rich couple lives in a very expensive neighborhood (and, perhaps, to add a bit of a romantic touch?). Cinematography is pretty good except for a few scenes where the camera bounces about for no apparent reason. Lighting is excellent with dark scenes (of which there are many) allowing the viewer to see the performers do their stuff (yeah!). Sound fields cleverly overlap between scenes. Music fits right in. Subtitles are close enough. Worth watching. Viewed at Japanese Film Festival Online. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.

Help us see the women

[ronaldhongkongwork · 10/10 · 26 November 2021]

Between women the society often subtly shapes an conflicting views, and this movie is a like a literature helps us see the deeply better world.

Also the income inequality and social classes wouldn't always make the rich growing kids blessed, this shapes the better open questions for all to answer again.

Synthesis

[Jona3098 · 7/10 · 18 February 2022]

This film drives you through different perspectives on the issue of social class. A complex and heavy pressure that family, context, culture and traditions put on the shoulders of these beautifully developed characters. Who try very hard to be free on their own.

Chapter by chapter, you start drowning slowly in the history and emotions that these characters are going through, in pursuit of true happiness.

Involving Observant Japanese drama w/ keen Introspection. Lovely

[pc95 · 9/10 · 9 July 2022]

One of the best Japanese movies to come out in at least a decade, director Yukiko Sode's "Anoko wa Kizoku" was an engrossing and introspective journey into the lives of characters Hanako and Miki in a the beautiful city and town scapes of Japan. It is close to a masterpiece. I absolutely was mesmerized by the attention to Japanese societal subtleties and the nuances and diverging class cultures tangling up young Japanese women of the 2010's decade. Like many societies, there is a push/pull and slow change generationally, and that is on display between parents and daughter characters in terms of expectations in dialog. I particularly found co-lead Mugi Kadowaki fantastic - in no small part to the outstanding direction and script - her inner-turmoil both director and actress managed to express with powerful authenticity. Loved this movie caught on a recent flight - a true gem of character film-making and beauty.