X
- 2003
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 46 m
- 2003
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 46 m
Summary A cross-cultural journey, an emotional drama and a haunting love story between an ambitious geologist and a Japanese businessman. (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
Directed By: Sue Brooks
Written By: Alison Tilson
- 2003
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 46 m
- 2003
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- 1 h 46 m
Japanese Story
73
8.8
Where to Watch
Summary A cross-cultural journey, an emotional drama and a haunting love story between an ambitious geologist and a Japanese businessman. (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
Directed By: Sue Brooks
Written By: Alison Tilson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 32 Critic Reviews
73
84% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
9% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 32 Critic Reviews
73
84% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
9% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
The glory of Japanese Story is that even after a daringly abrupt plot turn, the cast maintains its empathy and lucidity without interruption.
Gradually the full arc of Toni Collette's performance reveals itself, and we see that the end was there even in the beginning. This is that rare sort of film that is not about what happens, but about what happens then.
Offbeat and downbeat, it’s a film full of thoughtful stillness, powerful moods, reflective internal struggles and shattering, lonely self-realisation, suggesting more critical kudos than commercial impact.
This is not a conventional love story but a philosophical one.
Brooks endows Japanese Story with a fair measure of suspense, pathos, and romance, despite the challenge of conjuring these qualities from only two main characters and not much else to look at in many scenes but sand, sand, sand.
Best taken as a dazzling showcase for Collette, an actress who fits none of Hollywood's ideas of glamour or artistry, yet who grows like a beautiful outback weed with each new role she takes.
Pretentious yet devoid of poetry, left-of-center yet artless, this well-intentioned trudge does not exist to be enjoyed or appreciated so much as to be coddled and patronized as one would a retarded child.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 12 User Ratings
8.8
92% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 12 User Ratings
8.8
92% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
8% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company
Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC),
Fortissimo Films,
Gecko Films Pty. Ltd.,
Showtime Australia,
ScreenWest,
Lotteries Commission of Western Australia,
Film Victoria,
Film Australia,
The Australian Film Commission,
The South Australian Film Corporation,
Associatione éQuinoxe,
Footprint Films,
Premium Movie Partnership
Release Date Dec 31, 2003
Duration 1 h 46 m
Rating R
Tagline Some stories can change your life.
Awards
Australian Film Institute
• 8 Wins & 10 Nominations
IF Awards
• 4 Wins & 8 Nominations
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
• 5 Wins & 7 Nominations
