Fireworks (1998)
How do you deal with adversity? Do you accept it, channel your negative feelings into something positive and move on? Or do you struggle and rage against the dying of the light? This stark work from Takeshi Kitano shows an example of each method; no points for guessing who still stands at film's end. It's a film both brutal and beautiful -- a heartbreaking human drama with brief bursts of violence punctuating the mood like a caesura in the middle of a haiku. One thing I don't find mentioned enough, though: this film's wholehearted indulgence of Kitano's dry sense of humor. At times, this is a very funny and sweet film. (Two words: "Crunchy chocolate!") But underneath it all is the undercurrent of grief. We all know where this will end, but what we've seen before getting there just makes it all the sadder. This film will stick with you.
Grade: A-
How do you deal with adversity? Do you accept it, channel your negative feelings into something positive and move on? Or do you struggle and rage against the dying of the light? This stark work from Takeshi Kitano shows an example of each method; no points for guessing who still stands at film's end. It's a film both brutal and beautiful -- a heartbreaking human drama with brief bursts of violence punctuating the mood like a caesura in the middle of a haiku. One thing I don't find mentioned enough, though: this film's wholehearted indulgence of Kitano's dry sense of humor. At times, this is a very funny and sweet film. (Two words: "Crunchy chocolate!") But underneath it all is the undercurrent of grief. We all know where this will end, but what we've seen before getting there just makes it all the sadder. This film will stick with you.
Grade: A-
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