44/48
A repressed matriarch and unfortunately overwhelming circumstances – a disturbing earthquake, crippling debts, a dying ex-husband, an angry coworker and her son’s girlfriend – bring her to the brink of collapse. The name «Hamon» is a standard Japanese word, literally meaning «waves» and metaphorically – the impact we each have on others. This is repeatedly emphasized in this film with scenes where the characters – wife, husband, son, etc. – stand in a shallow pond, and the waves emanating from one character spread out in the usual circular pattern to reach the others. Quite an interesting visualization of interpersonal relationships, but nothing that could not be applied to any film involving people. Or, for that matter, any living organism. The film follows the travails of a Japanese housewife as she deals with the sudden disappearance of her husband, the death of her husband’s father, her only son running away to university and then to a career trip without leaving Japan (well, except for Okinawa), then the return of said husband as a missing person. Among other things. There’s a good dose of humor, a good dose of pathos, a few awkward scenes with the deaf fiancé who is brought home by his son unannounced. I think it was worth watching even before the final scene, which was surprising, infectious, exhilarating, actually quite wonderful. Ouch!