peter0969

What Jafar Panahi offers isn't an ordinary tale about revenge, but a revenge tale that is layered with illusions, repression, tension, and the exploration of the corrupted politics and themes of the political landscapes.

Panahi slow yet unresting direction creates this uncomfortable yet engaging observation throughout. The way he presents the camerawork, characters, and atmosphere feels realistic, vibrant, and harsh. Because it never felt forced, over exposition or false. Panahi's writing is perfect, as many elements of the storytelling, structure, and themes were explored perfectly, allowing ambiguously, engagement, and tension to flow through it's characters and setting. You feel the sense of the conflicting journey throughout and the many layers that demonstrates the Iranian regime and societal features.

All of the performances are fantastic, and the characters felt real, tense, and emotionally engaged. Surprisingly, there are some good dark humor throughout and it does help add to the collective trauma exploration and roadside journey throughout. Alongside with the good dialogue, slow-burn yet eventful pacing and sound designs, the movie really never shys away from it's realism and brutality nature. And that's what makes Jafar Panahi pretty unique. To think he made this movie, during his imprisoned in Iran, and without permission to create this movie is honestly, a very ballsy and brave move to do.

Having won the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival, I can totally understand why.

Sometimes, even an art-house movie lover is going to need some good feel-good and cute emotional movies to have comfort.

What Hikari offers is a cute, emotional, and non ham-fisted story about the moralities and emotions of being in a rental family business and the characters interlacing themselves and growth.

Hikari approaches the narrative, direction, and atmosphere without feeling manipulative nor overly cheesy, as the structure of how it's themes were presented and emotional weight were purposeful and balanced. Alongside with the good camerawork, colorful production designs and beautiful musical score. Many of the themes and moralities explored within the movie is interesting, as it doesn't feel one-sided, and is able to explore both it's positives and the negatives within the setting and scenes, without feeling heavy-handed, but lighthearted, mature, and reasonable.

The characters are interesting. Brendan Fraser gives a touching and heartfelt performance for his role. Personally, seeing Fraser continuing to get chances to showcase his dramatic performances and personalities is heartwarming (especially what he has been through). Alongside with the other performances, including the child actor and Akira Emoto, being pretty good. However, I did wish some of the supporting side characters had a little bit of more moral weight and emotional engagement as they had interesting arches, but they felt a bit too thin and light to fully engage with their purposes and point.

The writing is simple and admittedly, it is predictable. However, Hikari still lifts it's simple story up because of her directing approach, the themes, and how it's subject matter was handled. Resulting in a good feel-good and tearjerker movie to witness.

Overall, it's a good comfort emotional movie.