
Like Father, Like Son
Soshite chichi ni naru
Soshite chichi ni naru
★★★★☆



Directed by
Hirokazu Koreeda
Written by Hirokazu Koreeda
With: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yôko Maki, Rirî Furankî, Jun Fubuki, Shôgen Hwang, Kirin Kiki, Jun Kunimura, and Megumi Morisaki
Editing: Hirokazu Koreeda
Runtime: 120 min
Release Date: 24 September 2013
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1
Color
Written by Hirokazu Koreeda
With: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yôko Maki, Rirî Furankî, Jun Fubuki, Shôgen Hwang, Kirin Kiki, Jun Kunimura, and Megumi Morisaki
Runtime:
120 min
Release Date: 24 September 2013
Color/Aspect: Color / 1.85 : 1
Cinematography:
Mikiya TakimotoRelease Date: 24 September 2013
Color/Aspect: Color / 1.85 : 1
Editing: Hirokazu Koreeda
Runtime: 120 min
Release Date: 24 September 2013
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1
Color

Like Father, Like Son
Soshite chichi ni naru
Soshite chichi ni naru
★★★★☆


Like Father, Like Son from
writer/director Hirokazu Koreeda (I Wish, After Life) finds
a fresh take on the old switched-at-birth fable by making the protagonist one
of the parents rather than one or both of the children that discover they are
not who they thought they were. This is not to say that the children don't
factor into this film--quite the contrary, the performances by the two young
boys, and all the kids in this picture, are one of its principle delights.
Unlike last year’s terrific Israeli film The Other Son,
Hirokazu doesn't use the situation to explore complex socio/political ideas but
rather to tell a simple, personal story. Of course, themes of class and
identity weave their way through the narrative, as they always do in variations
on The Prince and the Pauper, but Like
Father, Like Son is much more about the meaning of parenthood and what
makes a good father. For that reason many may consider this film to be shmaltzy
(or whatever the equivalent of shmazlty is in the austere Japanese culture).
But just because the film explores uncomplicated themes, doesn't make it any
less meaningful. While the story adheres to certain specific Japanese attitudes
around patriarchy and work ethics, it is just as relevant to most every
contemporary, work-obsessed society. It is no surprise the film won the Grand
Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes festival; while not a masterpiece, it is
certainly a crowd pleaser.
Directed by
Hirokazu Koreeda
Written by Hirokazu Koreeda
With: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yôko Maki, Rirî Furankî, Jun Fubuki, Shôgen Hwang, Kirin Kiki, Jun Kunimura, and Megumi Morisaki
Editing: Hirokazu Koreeda
Runtime: 120 min
Release Date: 24 September 2013
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1
Color
Written by Hirokazu Koreeda
With: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yôko Maki, Rirî Furankî, Jun Fubuki, Shôgen Hwang, Kirin Kiki, Jun Kunimura, and Megumi Morisaki
Runtime:
120 min
Release Date: 24 September 2013
Color/Aspect: Color / 1.85 : 1
Cinematography:
Mikiya TakimotoRelease Date: 24 September 2013
Color/Aspect: Color / 1.85 : 1
Editing: Hirokazu Koreeda
Runtime: 120 min
Release Date: 24 September 2013
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1
Color
How I Rate Films
★★★★★
One of the 5000 greatest films. Usually only awarded after repeat viewings, so there are more five-star films from decades past than recent years.
★★★★☆
An excellent film. Possibly one of the 5000 and certainly worthy of repeated viewing.
★★★☆☆
A good film well worth seeing. Films listed at the top of this ranking could end up one of the 5000.
★★☆☆☆
A disappointment, an interesting failure, or just a bad movie. Still, maybe worth seeing: I often enjoy the top two-star films in a given list more than the bottom three-star films.
★☆☆☆☆
A bad, rant-worthy film. Should be avoided regardless of hype or talent involved.
☆☆☆☆☆
One of the worst films.
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