Her Love Boils Bathwater sets itself to be a sentimental family drama. But Ryota Nakano takes a more light-hearted approach. Instead of following a very dramatic ill-single-mother-making-her-time-worthwhile take (and it's very tempting to), he doesn't. Instead, he rallies his great cast to launch the story foreword.
And that's the film's greatest strength—its cast. Hana Sugisaki won Best Supporting Actress for her role and she proves once again that she's one of Japan's most promising young actresses perhaps taking on the footsteps of the chameleon actor, Fumi Nikaido (a personal bias).
Perhaps being Japan's entry to the Best Foreign Film list is a little bit of a stretch since the film is simplistic but heartfelt, strengthened by its cast. Its little moments and character interactions are its charm. Nakano doesn't patronize these characters—he shows them as flawed ones and as imperfect beings but what's great is how that all plays out.
The cinematography is stunning, paired with lukewarm colors yet vivid. The score truly embraces the scenes. Yes, I cried.
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Right from the cast that interacts nicely with history, balancing the impending tragedy with gentle humor and a quirky procession of quirky characters, the film features an impressive collection of characters and bold audacious performances.
Miyazawa is painfully fragile and unselfish, while Odagiri's wifey husband is nice. But who really shone was 11-year-old Sugisaki Ito as the most courageous young generation, taking on the pain and responsibility, while maintaining his youthful life.
Directed by Ryôta Nakano who made a dazzling script, it provides an emotional load of tears as the family history intertwines with humor and marked with multiple surprises.
The sound is solid, but the full surround effects seem to be lacking, in the scenarios part does not deserve to be.
Overall "Her Love Boils Bathwater" is cheerful and adds to every scene. A balanced film that deserves to be watched.
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This review may contain spoilers
What a moving movie this was, a story about the impact a mother has on the people around her, from her daughter to her estranged husband to a lost child to all the other people the mother meets on her journey. There are multiple different characters in this film, but for all intents and purposes, the three women of the family, Futaba, Azumi, and Ayuko, are the main characters and the ones whose stories the film is really trying to tell.I found Futaba herself to be the sort of woman I wish I could be. Tough, resilient, refuses to quit or back down. And she could quit. She could give up, and you would completely understand why. As you discover over the course of the story, life has not been easy for her. But Futaba never quits. She has a determination that pushes her and pushes her and pushes her and that pushes the people around her as well. It's ultimately her perseverance that moves this movie along and makes you want to invest in the characters lives and well-being.
I appreciated all of the little ways Futaba worked to teach Azumi how to be brave and bold and courageous. First, she lead by example with the way she lived her own life. Second, she pushed Azumi when she needed to, sometimes thrusting her into the deep end where she had no choice but to swim. When Azumi stripped down to her underwear in the middle of class to reveal the new underwear Futaba had given her 'for that special moment when you need it', I was proud of her courage. I was also kind of uncomfortable. I certainly understand Why she did it, and I can admit that it was ultimately very affective at getting her point across, but I will never be totally comfortable with very young actors/actresses stripping down for the camera. There's just a feeling of exploitation that I cannot shake.
Regardless, the lessons Futaba had been teaching Azumi up to that point were clearly sinking in. I think the only thing Futaba did that I found disappointing and somewhat upsetting in her effort to teach Azumi to be more resilient was the way she revealed to Azumi that she was adopted. I was initially confused and somewhat turned off by the plot twist as it seemed like not only overkill for the story but a rather cruel approach. But it was handled in an interesting and ultimately positive way, and it was clearly set up to happen from the beginning of the story, so I can't say that it was poorly written or planned out. Now that I'm a few days away from having watched this film, I'm not as bothered by the twist as I was, and I think I've almost come around to it, but it might take another viewing for me to feel truly comfortable with it.
Futaba's easy acceptance of Ayuko is another particularly impactful part of the film. The way she embraces Ayuko into the fold of their family so naturally, not making a big deal out of it or making a point of it, but treating it like it's just a normal thing, 'Ayuko was an orphan, and now she's not. Could you please pass the ketchup?,' this could feel a bit insulting to us westerners, because we like to acknowledge the unfairness of the abandoned child's situation and openly discuss it so as to give the child the space to express their own feelings. And I won't lie and say that I Like Japan's non-response way of dealing with difficult situations like this one. But in a culture like Japan where so many things are often left unsaid and left unaddressed and just flat out ignored, I do think it was the most thoughtful and appropriate way of dealing with the situation if you're Not going to bring it all out into the open and talk it through.
Now, throughout the movie, you think Futaba cares so much for Azumi and Ayuko because she's just a deeply giving and loving person (and I think that is still part of the reason), but you discover towards the end that there's another more secret reason, something that connects her to these two girls in a deeply emotional way and makes her all the more determined to give them the best chance in life they can get.
And that is that Futaba was an orphan herself.
What's particularly impactful about this reveal is that you can see how easy it would have been for Futaba to say 'these kids are not my problem.' We see in many other Japanese films and dramas, etc. that being an orphan in Japanese culture is not exactly accepted or understood by broader society, and those who are orphans or from deeply broken homes typically hide this fact about themselves from others once they get older. But another, equally unfortunate, aspect of this is that those who are/were orphaned, etc. often refuse to associate with anyone else who was/is orphaned as well. The shame associated with being an orphan, and the reminder it can give you of your own shame, can be particularly potent in many societies like Japans.
This is where Futaba's unwavering commitment to her own principles shines the most. Not only does Futaba refuse to do this to Azumi and Ayuko, refuses to abandon them like she was abandoned, like they have both already Been abandoned, she instead goes above and beyond to provide them with all of the love and encouragement and instruction she can. Those kids are going to have a decent chance in life if she has anything to say about it.
Of course, Futaba has her own struggles, her own inner demons, and we eventually get a glimpse of them towards the end of the film. Her desire to be loved and accepted by her birth mother, her deep-seated anger with Azumi's birth mother for abandoning her, her own fear of being alone/abandoned by those she loves, all tied into her experience of being abandoned, orphaned, unwanted much of her life and all pushing her to work twice as hard to make sure those around her don't go through the same thing.
I will be honest here and say that I do wish that the reason characters in Japanese films or dramas are so sacrificial and willing to just accept others with difficult backgrounds wasn't always because they themselves come from the same or similar backgrounds. I would like to see more of these stories show regular people who maybe haven't experienced the level of heartache the three leads in Bathwater have doing the right thing simply because...it's the right thing to do. But when a story is as compelling as our three female leads, I can accept that maybe this just wasn't the right movie for that to happen in.
Now, before I end this review, I want to address the elephant in the room of this movie, that being Futaba's husband, Kazuhiro.
Kazuhiro is a big, fat coward.
While I'm glad she tracked him down and brought him back, because he's ultimately the one who should be responsible for Azumi (and later Ayuko's) upbringing, boiiiiiiiiiii does he piss you off. His reason for leaving the family has got to be about the dumbest thing ever, and I want to smack him upside the head a few times just to release my frustration. A woman shows up at his house and says 'this is your daughter because we had sex together once,' he just assumes she's telling the truth, and instead of sitting down with his wife and talking the situation out with her....he just up and leaves to go live with this woman and her daughter whom she has not proved is his in the first place. On the one hand, I'm extremely glad he did it, because Ayuko probably would have never found a family of her own and possibly could have ended up in a much worse situation. I'm glad that through his dumbass idiocy, Kazuhiro and Futaba and Azumi were able to become her family. But boy if he didn't have to take the dumbest route to that outcome. Credit where credit is due, he does come back to the family once she tracks him down, he does make an effort to be involved once he gets back, and by the end of the movie, I felt pretty reassured that he wouldn't run off and abandon his family again. But oh my GAD, was he stupid.
There are a couple of other characters who play a valuable role in this film, namely the hitchhiking kid and Azumi's birth mom, but Bathwater isn't their story. It isn't Kazuhiro's story. Futaba, Azumi, and Ayuko are the heart and soul of Bathwater, and it's story was theirs and theirs alone.
And for that, I'm grateful that this film exists.
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It really sucks you in!
This movie is such an inspiration to me. It causes so many types of painful feelings but never gets difficult to watch. I guess it's because we get emotionally attached to the characters and want to see more.A family of two, mother and daughter, were living a simple life, full of love for each other. When the mother realized she has a terminal illness with numbered days, she decided to make sure her daughter is not left alone. The overall story is actually very simple and predictable. There are some surprises here and there, but nothing to impact the story. It's mostly to add to what makes the characters who they are.
I can't really say much about the setting except it really sets the tone of the movie. From their small home to the bathhouse, to the surrounding streets, it gives you a richer experience of their daily lives. The scenery during their small trip wasn't there to impress, but it makes us feel the change of scenery they were experiencing.
When it comes to the characters, that is the bread and butter of the movie. First, Futaba, who seems to recognize all those missing love in their lives and is ready to fill that void. She doesn't try much. It's an instinct she has. And as much as she can show affection, she can also give some tough love. She isn't flawless, which makes her even more lovable. She has a lot of anger towards those who hurt her. In extreme situations, she can downright be violent (it's actually satisfying). Then there's Azumi, once very timid and meek, she pushes herself, time and again, to find the strength to move forward. She's really the sunshine of the movie. Then Ayuku comes along. Feeling estranged, she didn't want to let herself get attached but realized how connected she is to them. I loved seeing the development of the relationship, and the way she found her comfort throughout the movie.
When it comes to Kazuhiro, I just don't know what to think. Sleazy and irresponsible, I was ready to dislike him, yet I just couldn't. I have to admit it doesn't help that he's being played by Odagiri Jo (my bias), but there is more. I thought at first he may be plain selfish but that wasn't entirely true. He just doesn't know how to step up to the situation. The extreme circumstances forced him to learn quickly. I think the most redeeming quality of his is that he doesn't make excuses. He doesn't pretend to not be sleazy and doesn't have the courage to face her so he decides to go behind the scene. The roles of the other male characters in the movie were short but heartfelt.
The cast was great, but Miyazawa Rie and Sugisaki Hana were both spectacular, so natural in their characters.
Despite the emotional premise, it leans more towards a slice-of-life story. Rather than an emotional roller coaster, it felt more like a collection of heartfelt moments, yet doesn't get overwhelming, as we view how life goes on.
I highly recommend it.
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We're all dying, but nothing helps us realize that like getting a time limit because of a terminal illness (I hope that wasn't giving too much away). This is far from just another "make the most out of life" movie, though. It's not overwhelmingly about the main character and her story, either. I could empathize with most of the characters in their particular stories. They are all believable. None of them is a superhero-- they each have their own personal attributes and flaws, strengths and weaknesses. There are things to be learned from each side of their personalities. They're all distinct, and relevant to the movie.
Although I think that the characters are the best part of this film, the plot is also excellent. I found it surprising and original. Everything that happens in the movie happens as and when it does for a reason. There is no "filler."
The ending is good. VERY good. Although more intuitive people may see it coming, that doesn't detract from its significance.
This is definitely a movie that was worth watching a second time, as I was able to pay enough attention to plot elements that I underestimated the significance of the first time.
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This review may contain spoilers
A single mother is diagnosed with cancer, left by husband and the family bathwater was under went. Despite all things happened to herself and her daughter, she put all them aside to secure her daughter future. She brought back again her estranged husband and his another daughter to live together. She didnt keep her illness to him and told him her future planned for her daughter. She strictly educated her daughter to be strength as best as she can to stand up and face off whatever bad or good things happen to her. Her Love Boils Bathwater is very heartwarming movie about the power of loving mother in order to take a look after her daughter for her future. A sweet performances from each characters. A movie to ensure the audiences to feel loved, warmth and appreciated.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Damn.This hits different. This is actually a rewatch, first watched it around 2018-ish I think? My mom passed away last year and….. this movie really does hits different after she passed away. Started bawling my eyes out since the first few minutes. And as the eldest daughter, honestly I can see myself in Sugisaki Hana’s character.
Well, moving on, I knew this movie was bound to be a tearjerker drama yet they done it very neatly. The pace, the camerawork, the acting. My god! The acting was really top notch!!! Now that I watch this again, this movie really proves that Sugisaki Hana is really a magnificent actres (well, originally rating this 4 stars but the half star is for the amazing casts and their acting). The story though… sometimes I feel like they were trying to put too much topics. Like the bullying case? There were little resolution for that but I prefer them to adress how Azumi’s school life after that resolution. Although I really love how Futaba raises the two girls and her new unordinary family, even just for few months.
All in all, I still love how this movie turns out. How Futaba touch other people’s life, how she raises Azumi and Ayuko without questioning anything.
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A sad but also heartwarming story about family and live
At some point I thought, how much sad things can happen in a family, isn't it too much here, but if you see it as an approach to show the value of family, humanity and friendship in general it was all okay for me.The story was well paced, lots of plot twists that keep you entertained for the two hours. While all actors were really nice, I want to give a special credit for Sugisaki Hana, who plays the teenage daughter here. Her acting is so good, so many perfect facial expressions in all the variety of moods she had to cover, just wow, especially for her age. Somebody to check out for her other works for sure.
Definitely a movie that deserves a wider recognition.
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Azumi is Rukia...She is kawaiii..............................................................................................................................................................................
I hope see more movie like this...........................................................................................................................................................................
My review must be at least 500 characters in length.I dont have another thing to say...what a pain .......................................................................................................................................................................................
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