Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Haruka Ayase | ... |
Sachi Koda
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Masami Nagasawa | ... |
Yoshino Koda
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Kaho | ... |
Chika Koda
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Suzu Hirose | ... |
Suzu Asano
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Ryô Kase | ... |
Yoshimi Sakashita
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Ryôhei Suzuki | ... |
Dr. Yasuyuki Inoue
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Takafumi Ikeda | ... |
Sanzo Hamada
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Kentarô Sakaguchi | ... |
Tomoaki Fujii
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Ôshirô Maeda | ... |
Futa Ozaki
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Midoriko Kimura | ... |
Hideko Takano
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Yûko Nakamura | ... |
Yoko Asano
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Jun Fubuki | ... |
Sachiko Ninomiya
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Kazuaki Shimizu | ... |
Toshio Iida
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Kaoru Hirata |
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Shin'ichi Tsutsumi | ... |
Dr. Kazuya Shiina
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Three sisters live together in their late grandmother's house in the city of Kamaruka. They have lived together since their dad left home for another woman. They have lived together since their mum imitated her husband by running off with another man... Sachi, 29, the oldest Koda sister, a nurse at the local hospital, acts as a substitute mother to Yoshino, 22, and Chika, 19. One day, the threesome learns of the death of their "traitor" father and it is only halfheartedly that they go to his funeral. But in Yamagata something unexpected happens: they meet their half-sister Suzu, 13, there and immediately fall for the spell of this exquisite young creature. Sensing that Yoko, her father's widow, will not be a fit guardian. Sachi invites Suzu to move to Kamakura home... Written by Guy Bellinger
All the Hollywood directors producing one comic-book sequel after the other (and all other directors as well) should see this film, they should turn away in shame, and quit directing. Movie is largely seen as a medium to entertain, yet it could be so much more.
Watching this movie, in every scene, it is incrompehensible for a western viewer how it is filmed: There are only daily life scenes, nothing dramatic, yet it is such a heart-warming experience, a simple joy of watching people living their lives.
The story follows 3 very different grown-up sisters who live independently in a big house. The father has left them when they were little, and now they learn that they yet have another little sister. Soon their little dormitory has an additional guest. The main characters are the youngest sister who tries to adapt to her new life, and the oldest sister who is determined to live her life lead by strength and kindness.
Critics have compared Kore-eda with Ozu, because of his calm observation of life. Still, Ozu's film contain great sadness, while Kore-eda's movies ('Like Father,Like Son', 'Kiseki') are full hope and joy for living. They show simple people trying the find happiness in life. It has a Zen-like quality: one doesn't need big dramatic events to show love and kindness, if you are looking close enough you will find it in the most ordinary things in daily life.
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen.