Sawako Decides – Review

After five years, five jobs, and five boyfriends, Sawako is definitely a character I can relate too (not the five boyfriends part). Her father owns a clam processing company called Kimura Fisheries and the company is in the brink of bankruptcy. At the same time Kenichi loses his job and persuades Sawako to Return to her hometown to help her father. At first she refuses but later changes her mind and this is when things get interesting. As much as I love Japanese cinema, I tend to be a bit wary of their quirky comedies, even if they are sent to us for free. But alas, this was a good combination of ingredients that make up a good comedic film.

Director Ishii Yuya really hit a homerun with Sawako Decides. The film seems to be set in a world thats a couple of steps off from the real world. Its the sort of film that a sheltered teenager might write about growing up if all they knew of life was TV. It is from this general perspective that had me glued to the TV. I wanted to know more and more of the mindset of Sawako. Its theme, which is how reconciling yourself to your own mediocrity can allow you to overcome it it a good message that is tucked under folds and folds of comedy. The performance of the leading lady, however, was somewhat mixed. She was very convincing in some scenes, less convincing in others. This is one of the only drawbacks of an otherwise solid performance from the rest of the cast.

Third Window Films is distributing Japanese cinema which proves that it isn’t just about horror films. She is by all counts a failure having been abused by life with multiple jobs and boyfriends since she left home. Somewhere along the way she makes a decision and her life changes. It is more of a real life horror story, that stays close to a more realistic horror then ghosts and ghouls. Sawako decides that since she’s nothing special, she’ll just have to tough it out. I think I can safely assume that everyone has been there at some point in their lives. She ends up with having a family, a company that is doing better and better and with the peace and tranquillity desired by many. Happy right?

The film’s picture quality is solid, soundtrack is very fitting, and I have very little to complain about. Being a character which accepts her destiny, without trying to improve her life, is definitely the biggest horror of all, but with all good things, the ending resolves itself and the conclusion is satisfying. Yes, it had laughs but its all kind of sad, with Sawako being a lower middle girl who is accepting of her miserable life. For those that can relate, this won’t just be a fun comedy, it will also be a film you can relate too and walk away with some things to think about. A quality comedy and another good entry in Japanese comedic filming. The film opens up next week so rush out and see it, it is worth your hard earned cash.