Departures

Watching the film Departures (2008). The old man is an eccentric mentor. He does not explain anything. Seemingly picked the student by random draw.

I can see why these kind of films get awards. I think this one had even an Oscar. Calm and beautiful. Some people would say they restore their faith.

If I had to think of a horrible twist, the wife dies. A more realistic might be that the old man retires or dies, and is glad to have passed his craft forward. But I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing that big happens.

The call to first job alone, in the middle of the night. I hope he doesn’t fuck up too badly, I don’t feel like cringing now. Also, if the wife misunderstands something terribly… Maybe I watch too much crap to come to expect things like these. I’m sure this movie can do better.

“Get a proper job”. That was nice. The wife too thought it filthy. Pretty harsh as up until now she has been portrayed as very pleasant and happy at all times. It comes of as a cultural thing, that attitude, but I wonder if that’s really such an issue. I mean, people who are far from it will no doubt think of it as gross, but relatives and the kind, forced to understand, will do so I believe.

Beautiful music, soul and a man.

I thought it was a bit strange when at the beginning the man offered to go to his parents home in the countryside, as if the woman might choose to leave him for having no job (and perhaps due to being in debt). Like their relationship wasn’t that deep. But they are a husband and a wife I recall correctly?

And she still resists. I should have seen this. A character they both knew died. Now she gets to see him do the job and come to understand. Oh, and the woman will succeed the bath house. And he will also come to earn respect from the man who first renounced his work.

All silent now. Filming the watchers more than the man doing the job. Soft music begins. He hesitates, probably going to do something spectacular instead of the usual thing.

Wow, still giving a stone ritual is genius. Maybe substitute stone for something else? Here the point is that as an ancient ritual, it’s some material or thing that has always existed. “Lets give each other stones every year — it was a lie.” I bet this comes back later. He finds all the stones somewhere, or the father dies providing a similar clue.

Ah, contrast with people who can’t do the same job with the care of the main characters.

I forgot to add: The movie was perfectly predictable, yet great. That’s something worth remembering I think. Twists and plot complexities are not required for good fiction.