Brilliant, heartfelt, emotional throughout
Monster is a movie that sticks with you permanently after watching it. It dives into perspectives filled with guilt, regret, confusion, love and purpose.Genuinely, this was one of the most emotional films I've ever watched in my life. The storytelling relates to so many aspects of being a queer child who is confused, lost, but seeks redemption just because the world doesn't want to be kind to you, and you don't know why. The way in which they weaved through the different perspectives to the very last was a brilliant capture for the why, how, and what.
The cinematography is beautiful and has such a nostalgic atmosphere to it that I can't describe. Basically, if there were no phones-esque feeling. The characters are complex; every single one, void of any one-dimensionality. I felt myself immersed in their environment/s because it was that intimate being in the spectator's seat of everyone's individualities. Of course, the characters couldn't have been brought to life without the incredible acting. I was profoundly amazed at the main child actors' performances. I am glad to see that the cast and crew took very good care of them throughout the filming process, as this is an especially difficult terrain for children to act in. The music was beautiful, and I so wish there was more in some scenes because it put me in awe how delicate and tender the melodies played a role to further enhance the scene. Though I understand and respect the director's decisions; I'm by no means a professional, this is just my personal opinion.
I for sure have an urge to rewatch this movie because I feel like you can't pick up on all the intricacies in just one go, so this is a definite rewatch. Monster is a beautiful movie with a beautiful and very important story to tell. Give it a watch, you will not be disappointed.
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beautiful beautiful beautiful
IM CRYING MY EYES OUT.This movie is really really beautiful, the emotions were portrayed so well and everything was played out amazingly and beautifully. Even small details like the lightning or even some glances here and there matched the storyline and the characteristics of each character.
At first, I thought this movie would be too confusing, since we never really got a hold of what was actually happening, but as time went by I learned how to just be happy with what I knew, instead of worrying about how that would change. My perception of what was happening was constantly changing, but itfelt like an exercise of patience and a way to keep me focused to know the real situation that was going on.
Every actor/actress did an AMAZING job, but I'd like to give a big shoutout to the two little main leads. At their young age, they managed to create a masterpiece and portray emotions with a lot of maturity and didn't hesitate to show the vulnerabilities and feelings of the characters they were playing as if they were their own.
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A beautiful piece that holds 3 different perspectives
Lovingly detailed and accented by an aching score from Ryuichi Sakamoto, who died in March, Monster is one of the finest films of the year, and its structure — like its circle of characters — carries secrets that can only be unraveled through patience and empathy. By cutting things up and showing us the perils of fractured perspectives, the director, demonstrates that compassion is more than just a natural state of being. This absorbing, ambiguously titled movie builds to a moving finish, one that reaffirms Kore-eda’s peerless skill at directing young actors in particular.My Rating : 8.5/10
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who's the monster ?
"se não é para todos então não é felicidade.""quem é o monstro?"
essas duas frases são exatamente o que define o filme como um todo. a felicidade aqui vem da pior forma, que é extremamente passageira, que parece boa demais para ficar durante muito tempo. como se os personagens não merecessem ter acesso, o que chega a ser cruel pois há personagens aqui que definitivamente deveriam ter um acesso ilimitado a ela.
sobre a segunda frase, é o que faz o filme ser tão transformador. toda a construção da narrativa durante o filme é algo hipnotizante de se acompanhar. os questionamentos que são levantados e as respostas que são obtidas a cada novo ponto de vista faz com que o filme seja um deleite de se ver. as nuances entre os personagens e as dúvidas sobre quem fez o que, ou que simplesmente deixou de fazer, e consequentemente os impactos que foram resultados dessas ações levanta um tipo de questionamento de que até qual ponto saber a verdade é o que realmente interessa ? como definir que o que aconteceu nas entrelinhas tem um valor menor do que a verdade?
eu havia visto uns paralelos comparativos com close do lukas dhont, e a minha semelhança favorita é a criação de um mundo que mistura realidade e fantasia em que nada importa além dos momentos que estão sendo criado entre duas pessoas, em que a felicidade parece ser o único sentimento possível e nada externo tem poder ali.
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This review may contain spoilers
heartbreaking yet beautiful
This is the most heartbreking movie i've ever seen. I needed a few days to recover from this film. My heart breaks every time I think of the story of these 2 boys, innocent yet such a tough life. I just can't understand the concept of homophobia and bullying. I hope from the bottom of my heart that they are together and live a happy life, but I still had different feelings at the end. the fact that he is exactly lying dead in the bathtub makes me rather think that he died and when he finds him in the bathtub, can't accept it and imagines a story about their happy ending and then he eventually dies too. I also want to note how wonderfully the boys portrayed the characters. This was incredible for such a young age. you could feel all their emotions and experience their pain with them.Was this review helpful to you?
SO GOOD
I think the best way to describe this movie is, beautiful but painful.The beauty in every scene, you can literally see the efforts of the actors/actresses and the whole team.
The story is so good and I loved how we can see the differences in the povs.
This is such a great criticism for the society, they're children, they should be allowed to enjoy their childhood without feeling pressure of what the society will say.
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Are we humans or monsters?
This movie didn't make me cry. But, it left a void in my heart. It pains and it hurts as if someone had stabbed my heart. I wish everyone in this world watches this movie irrespective of who they are. It will give a chance for us to destroy our inner demons and become more humane.The story is told from three perspectives: Saori is a single mother who finds that her son is exhibiting strange behaviors lately. Her son Minato admits that he was beaten and abused by his teacher Hori. After this arc, we all tend to blame Hori. Then, we get Hori's perspective - he had always been kind to his students and Minato was injured by him accidentally. However, the whole school and press labels him as an abusive teacher and he is fired from his job. At this point, we audience tend to be indifferent towards Hori and think that he deserves to be hated. But, the real story is hidden behind Minato's POV. Minato has a crush on Yori, a boy in his class. Yori is often bullied by his rude classmates for his girly behavior. Minato is in denial because of the society norms and that causes him extreme stress, to the extent that he starts questioning his existence. Yori is always physically abused by his alcoholic single father, who believes that Yori has a disease and that he is a monster with pig brains. Despite all the bullying at school and the abuse from his father, Yori is very optimistic and gentle. The girls around him are always kind, but the boys give him a tough time. This factor alone shows how women are more matured, understanding and have an high degree of empathy within them. Parallel to all three arcs, we see the cold principal of the school. It is said that she killed her grandchild accidentally and let her husband take the fall, who is currently imprisoned. Whether its true or false is left to our own judgement.
I felt the movie was a huge irony in more than one way. In today's date, where social media is a rage, we don't fact-check everything before we draw conclusions. We only hear the narratives we favor. We don't want to listen to the other sides of the story. In fact, we don't even believe there are other narratives. Lets say, you come across a reel about an actor being accused of a hit-and-run. If you like the actor, you will say he's being framed. If you don't like the actor, you will say he deserves jail. And if you don't know the actor, you just ignore the reel, forgetting the reel quickly. There are many cases where innocent people commit suicide because of the hateful comments on social media. If even one life is lost because of our harsh words, aren't we monsters?
Throughout the film, rebirths are often mentioned, mostly by Minato. The ending leaves us hanging with many possibilities. Again, our perceptions come at play here. There are many hidden messages within the movie. For instance, Yori has become immune to the bullying and abuse because he is so much used to it - he doesn't feel anything anymore. This was revealed through a card game with Minato.
The entire cast were amazing, but the performance of the child actors are impeccable. That was Oscar-level acting. It is isn't easy to act in sensitive topics as a child.
Overall, this movie widened my horizons. It was thought-provoking and an eye-opener. No wonder it won so many laurels, including the Cannes festival.
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Just watch it
Watched it without any hint to what it was about or anything. It exceeded my expectations. A top notch movie.Made me feel goosebumps, the cinematography, the different views showing different perspectives, the acting , everything was top notch. The ending was perfect too, leaves you with your own interpretation. Don't want to give you all any spoiler, just watch it.Was this review helpful to you?
Absolute Must See...!!!
I've watched A LOT of J-Drama's over the years. This one REALLY hit home with me personally and otherwise. You'll be thrown off at first when starting the film as to what it's about. But as it progresses it turns into a BEAUTIFUL emotional story between two kids and there feelings for each other. I could so totally relate to what they both were struggling with as i did myself when i was about there age maybe a bit older. Everything from the story itself, to the actors, music, and scenery is on spot. Please don't pass up this gem folks. It truly is a tear jerker so make sure you have your tissues ready. I can't emphasize enough it's probably one of THE BEST Asian drama's i've seen in a long while. This is the kind of film or drama series i want to see MUCH, MUCH, more of. 10/10...!!!Was this review helpful to you?
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It's weirdly good like yeah it makes u feel so bad and so good at the same time. I like how they showed that how one person's trauma can effects others so much and sometimes ended up ruining their lives and personalities. The ending was like based on viewer how they take it. Some will say it's happy ending that now they ran away and are happy together and some will say it's sad that they're dead stuck in that train.
I kinda really like these types of movies. Where they leave you with mysterious feelings.
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This review may contain spoilers
I feel they could have done so much more with a clearer focus. Despite the hype, not impressed.
I wish Minato and Yori appeared more, and would prefer a better ending.--- Vague Spoilers --
Story: Director tries to put in a few themes, bullying, being different, societal conformity, japanese apologising/taking responsibility culture (even if not at fault), gay treatment therapy, felt a bit too many... Kind of drew the focus away from what (imo) should be the main theme, aka loving the same gender.
There is additional screen time given to the teacher and his lover to characterize him as a good teacher and set his character, but we don't see much of him in the Minato and Yori plot. Why do they have to combine the parent-teacher power dynamic and the Minato-Yori-classroom bullying plots into a single story? It feels like both deal with very significant issues that take a lot of emotions and shouldn't be so easily combined. I can see "What happens if they try to make their relationship official in their class, how do they cope and how do they overcome bulyling?" as one story, and "How does the teacher overcome this scapegoating done unto him, and how to deal with what is alleged vs what is actually true?" as another story with the teacher at the focus.
Ending: Giving an ambiguous ending is fine and all, but it left me feeling unfinished, would prefer an epilogue of Minato moving on or the aftermath, aka any change in classmates behaviour? teacher behaviour? Feels like they shown a spotlight on all the dark issues in the Japanese classroom and society and said "Ok, go think about it" and then left us with it.
Actors: Hinata acted so well as Yori the bumbling silly kid, a lighthearted facade with some dark thoughts, but I wished the characters could have been written with more emotional support -- like they're struggling but how do they come to terms with it. Minato's avoidance is only one part of the "gay panic", what about denial/ trying to like girls, what about acceptance, what about coming out?
--- Spoilers end --
I just feel they could have done so much more with it, and despite all the hype, not impressed. I think they could have done better with a clearer focus rather than so many themes, that only get brought up briefly but are never addressed (characters don't tackle or try to solve).
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Monster aka you & me ?
"Monster" is a challenging film that tackles complex human emotions with a raw and realistic portrayal. It's not a straightforward narrative; instead, it unfolds in a way that makes you think and question things. While there might be aspects that some viewers find off-putting, I believe that's part of the film's strength – it pushes boundaries and avoids easy answers.If you're looking for a film that delves into human psychology and isn't afraid to get uncomfortable, "Monster" is definitely worth checking out. Especially recommended for those who enjoy character studies or films that spark discussions long after the viewing.
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