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Okuribito

Okuribito

2008
Drama, Music
2h 10m
A failed cellist connects with his inner undertaker and his rural hometown in this tonally eccentric, lushly scored, movingly funny drama. Crushed at the breakup of his Tokyo orchestra, Daigo retreats to his picturesque northern Japan hometown, with adoring wife Mika in tow, to find his true calling. (psfilmfest.org)

Directed by:

Yôjirô Takita

Screenwriter:

Kundo Koyama

Starring:

Takashi Sasano, Kimiko Yo, Tetta Sugimoto, Ryôko Hirosue, Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Tôru Minegishi, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Sanae Miyata, Tarô Ishida, Tatsuo Yamada, Mitsuyo Hoshino

Genres:

Drama, Music

AKA:

Departures

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese
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Okuribito

2008
Drama, Music
2h 10m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 66.89% from 1207 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 15 Jan 2010
85
92nd
Not a masterpiece but still very entertaining and it feels like a 2 hour Japanese Six Feet Under which is enough to interest me. The acting has been criticized but this sort of emotive performance is typical of Japanese theater plays. It's a stylistic choice more than anything and is done intentionally. There are some cliches' here and there which keep it from transcending its boundaries into something substantial. I also found his wife Mika to be a very shallow and disappointing character.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 03 Sep 2011
94
99th
Sometimes a film is great not just because of how well it is made, but because of how it manages to get a reaction out of you. "Okuribito" is well made; the casting is inspired, the score is stunning, the photography is great and all the performances very good. But there are faults here; notably it's a touch cliche and overly melodramatic in places. But it's the emotional reaction that matters; because "Okuribito" made me laugh and weep like an idiot! I absolutely loved it.
Rated 03 Sep 2011
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 08 Jan 2011
83
77th
I thought the cast was wonderful, very personable and mostly genuine. The film is not quite as profound as it seems to aspire to, but is very engaging and hard not to be moved by. A handful of the emotional beats are a little too easy and/or predictable, but most of them are nonetheless effective and there were several moments that choked me up a bit. As for the bits of black comedy, most of them work as well. As a mild Japanophile, I really enjoy seeing any fresh perspectives on the culture.
Rated 08 Jan 2011
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 07 Jan 2010
84
91st
At times laugh-out-loud funny, at times poetic, beautiful and deeply serious... Takita's film shows off his many talents, while treating the difficult subject of death thoroughly, from all angles, and in a way which truly allows the audience to reflect on it and learn something new. It could stand to be edited down, and some of the motifs can seem a little cheesy, but the complex fabric of this film falls subtly and on enough levels that such flaws can easily be ignored. A real pleasure.
Rated 07 Jan 2010
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 15 Aug 2009
40
27th
No big surprise that Ari Folman's soul-searching Waltz with Bashir lost the Best Foreign Language Oscar to this piece of manipulative, sentimental drivel. I admit it did almost have me going for the first forty minutes, before the formulaic kitsch becomes unbearable.
Rated 15 Aug 2009
devilrydevilry
Rated 04 Apr 2009
70
67th
Departures discusses encoffineering in a subtle and palatable way, always maintaining a great balance between the technical aspects and the melodrama. There was an appropriate use of dark humour and the emotional scenes are neatly tied back to the running theme of death present in the film. Although the middle was a little draggy, it is generally engaging throughout and goes to great lengths to show us the two polarities of such a niche job.
Rated 04 Apr 2009
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 21 Dec 2015
3
9th
One of the most grating experiences I've ever endured. Given its serious subject matter, the film had the potential of being a deeply moving humanist tale, but instead squanders it through an excess of syrupy sentimentality and some really misplaced humor. The only real character in the film was the wife, a manipulative bitch who ditches her husband when he refuses to quit his 'shameful' job, only to show back up in his life when she finds out she's pregnant. Seriously, fuck this film.
Rated 21 Dec 2015
stflyst_fly
Rated 31 Aug 2009
80
80th
Good. A failed cellist leaves Tokyo for his small hometown and unwittingly takes up a job as an undertaker. This is a beautifully shot film providing a unique insight into the Japanese culture and their life style. Its light-hearted and often deeply moving narrative is a joy to watch. Highly recommended.
Rated 31 Aug 2009
chemical404chemical404
Rated 07 Jun 2009
69
80th
Slowly and gracefully this film depicts the death not as an end of something, but as a start of a travel. Following the philosophy, that death is for the living, not the dead ones, it focuses on the survivors, that has to see off the dead to the journey. Some aspects of the film aren't so good - the goofy comedy, the unnatural way wife of the protagonist communicates with him, cliches in the story. But despite these bumps "Okuribito" is a graceful film about the hard subject.
Rated 07 Jun 2009
aaasolankiaaasolanki
Rated 20 Nov 2011
88
96th
Very rarely you come across a movie that has you in splits in one scene and tears in the other. The movie has some really intense scenes and makes you think. It also gives a glimpse into the Japanese culture and makes you respect those who have passed away...
Rated 20 Nov 2011
tjekhovTjekhov
Rated 26 Dec 2010
40
27th
Brilliant first hour, then this Oscar-winner takes a turn for the worse and becomes a sentimental, pathos-reeking, waste of time. Still, the first hour is seriously hilarious.
Rated 26 Dec 2010
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 05 Jun 2010
87
87th
Beautiful film about life and death that explores its themes with a unique restraint and tone.
Rated 05 Jun 2010
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 20 May 2010
80
81st
The first and only time I cried in a cinema.
Rated 20 May 2010
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 19 Mar 2010
70
54th
It started off really rough but it actually got better as the story progressed. The film struggles to find the balance between melodrama and poignancy. Oftentimes it comes across as mushy and predictable. And I just have to single out the wife for being a really annoying character. But it is not without its merits. There are some truly heartbreaking moments (cremation scene, the last scene with his father). But I still think the The Class or Waltz with Bashir should have won Best Foreign Film.
Rated 19 Mar 2010
guillaumeGuillaume
Rated 15 Oct 2009
89
97th
Touching story, brought with great subtlety and emotion.
Rated 15 Oct 2009
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 13 Jun 2009
80
94th
The first 5 minutes gives you an idea on what to expect, beautiful storytelling and presentation of the subject with a hint of funny. Masahiro Motoki plays the former cellist turned 'encoffiner' perfectly, and learns the trade quite well. I kept thinking the story was going to go one way, and it ended up another. I now understand why this won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Film.
Rated 13 Jun 2009
radresRadres
Rated 06 May 2009
83
88th
Boldly puts death in it's focus and manages where many others failed, Departures does not alienate this natural phenomenon. It has its flaws but i still enjoyed it.
Rated 06 May 2009
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 13 Feb 2023
60
19th
Reasonably compelling drama (at least for the first half) shows great promise, tackling the ofttimes taboo subject of the end-of-life process (from the perspective of the ones left behind) with a disarming frankness; performances from the leading quartet are terrific. Takes a turn at the midpoint when it loses its generality and instead focuses more specifically on Motoki, turning the film into a more soapy (and too literal) melodrama, diluting the power of the earlier passages.
Rated 13 Feb 2023
doyler29doyler29
Rated 31 Jan 2022
90
87th
It's an amazingly well constructed that manages not to feel emotionally manipulative while also provoking deep emotions. Part of the reason it works so well is Yamazaki, best known to Western audiences for "Tampopo", who manages to demonstrate the quiet profundity of the job without having any speeches explaining it.
Rated 31 Jan 2022
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
95
96th
9????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
jpfergusonJPFerguson
Rated 29 Jan 2021
75
83rd
A poignant and at time funny film about death, family, music, love and class. All of these themes wrapped up in a layer of ceremony that Takita (most well known for his pink films) manages to conjure on screen for the viewer.
Rated 29 Jan 2021
greenerGreener
Rated 01 Jan 2021
60
29th
A bit bland at times, and the marital conflict felt overblown for dramatic effect.
Rated 01 Jan 2021
arashfoarash.fo
Rated 22 Apr 2020
90
92nd
A movie that makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you think, and deeply touches you in the soul. It takes you on journeys from death to life and from hatred to love. Japanese cinema always has something touching to present.
Rated 22 Apr 2020
medinavimedinavi
Rated 14 Nov 2019
70
44th
Bu kadar ağır konulu bir filme neden slapstick e varan derecelerde komedi koyduklarını anlayabiliyorum ama bana ton olarak biraz fazla geldi. Genel olarak teknik sıkıntıları olsa da anlatacak bir şeyi olan ve bunu özgün bir araçla anlatan samimi bir film.
Rated 14 Nov 2019
nmroshannmroshan
Rated 12 Apr 2019
88
86th
A beautiful symphony for death
Rated 12 Apr 2019
amir725amir725
Rated 02 Feb 2019
78
50th
wery calm & relax&
Rated 02 Feb 2019
malcymMalcym
Rated 05 Jul 2018
4
16th
Starts out engagingly enough and Motoki is charismatic. At some point one realises, however, that it doesn't have a plot. Awful ending.
Rated 05 Jul 2018
le_mamile mami
Rated 18 May 2016
40
27th
It starts great but after the first half turns into a melodrama and ending was just bad.
Rated 18 May 2016
dardandardan
Rated 23 Aug 2015
57
51st
Powerful and profound moments, instead of being deepened out into a more philosophical reflection on life, were repeated or milked until it felt gimmicky, turning away from the masterpiece it had the potential to be into slightly kitschy melodrama.
Rated 23 Aug 2015
tonykbTonyKB
Rated 01 Apr 2015
95
92nd
En av mine favoritter innen moderne japansk film. Den første halvtimen var jeg skikkelig skeptisk, da det var mye barnslig humor og platte poenger, men så fort jeg skjønte at dette var for å understreke umodenheten til hovedpersonen i filmen satt den som et skudd. I takt med at hovedpersonen vokser blir filmen mer og mer alvorlig og stillferdig, uten at den noen gang mister det jordnære som er der i starten. Fantastisk film å se når man er midt i 25årskrisa.
Rated 01 Apr 2015
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
80
80th
(2nd viewing)
Rated 03 Dec 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
87
91st
87.000
Rated 23 Mar 2014
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 01 Aug 2013
78
75th
Touching and funny. Sometimes it's a bit too melodramatic, and the wife can be a bit annoying at times, but it's still a very beautiful film
Rated 01 Aug 2013
ddrudgesd_drudges
Rated 20 Apr 2013
40
44th
Generic and calculated, Okubirito seems somehow afraid of taking its subject matter seriously and there are regularly bizarre moments when the movie apparently tries to be funny that disrupt and obfuscate the tone of the film. One of the montages, with the main character playing the cello for absolutely no reason in a random, weird place summed the movie up perfectly.
Rated 20 Apr 2013
sweekodenSweekoden
Rated 18 Apr 2013
60
46th
Would probably rank it higher if not for the constant clicking of the motherfuckin' keyboard, yo.
Rated 18 Apr 2013
tarwebroodtarwebrood
Rated 23 Mar 2013
90
94th
2013-03-23
Rated 23 Mar 2013
zeboimZeboim
Rated 19 Jan 2013
10
89th
The last 20 minutes should have been cut, there are a couple of off-colour jokes, and it's saccharine at times, but otherwise damn this is an entertaining film. The soundtrack is a big part of its appeal. EDIT: unfortunately, every time I watch this film it seems a bit more sentimental and cliched.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
hofschneiderHofschneider
Rated 20 Jul 2012
64
19th
cheesy and superficial.
Rated 20 Jul 2012
mandymandy
Rated 16 May 2012
7
73rd
Enjoyable film exploring human emotions and reactions. It was beautifully filmed with moments of warmth and humour.
Rated 16 May 2012
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 14 Apr 2012
78
79th
cenaze, merasim, çello, müzisyen, parasiz kalmak, sehirden kasabaya gitmek, japonya, baba-ogul, ayrilik, hamam (güzel film, birazcik ritmi agir. Finali ise cok iyi bana rosebud'u hatirlatti.)
Rated 14 Apr 2012
goremeatgoremeat
Rated 11 Mar 2012
79
71st
Oscillates between melodrama and black comedy with dexterity 'to a disturbing degree'. I don't know if it really sets out for lofty poignancy, but it does manage to get a real tranquility from its character and subject matter. It might also work as commentary on the stigma that hang over certain professions in Japan; and those who are more concerned with false social status than something more emotionally substantial.
Rated 11 Mar 2012
redcatredcat
Rated 03 Mar 2012
97
83rd
herkese göre olmayan,?ölen gibi bir film.
Rated 03 Mar 2012
tzakieltzakiel
Rated 14 Feb 2012
90
88th
Unusual film with a strange sense of humor, but it works. Moving and funny, if a bit cliched.
Rated 14 Feb 2012
jakeburnerjakeburner
Rated 14 Feb 2012
84
15th
Dramatic with a hint of black comedy. Often compared to the series Six Feet Under, but this takes a lighter, more natural approach toward death.
Rated 14 Feb 2012
dunbardunbar
Rated 11 Feb 2012
70
44th
What starts off as positive quickly turns into tripe, and amazingly tripe that is apparently best foreign film at the Academy Awards. Initially Daigo's actions to his wife after the first day in his new job give you the most symbolic and powerful moment of the film, afterwards the award judges must've fallen asleep and not noticed the onslaught of dull cliches and mistimed death misnomers. Not to mention a disturbing moment where Daigo becomes the Andre Rieu of undertaker cellists.
Rated 11 Feb 2012
lepuppy7Lepuppy7
Rated 05 Feb 2012
7
73rd
A pretty good comedy-drama, it lets you see that job from a different more significant perspective.
Rated 05 Feb 2012
zaezae
Rated 17 Jan 2012
90
94th
Yes, it's a bit cliched in parts, but I don't care - it's a great film. The wife character is indeed weak, though.
Rated 17 Jan 2012
mkellinsmkellins
Rated 10 Dec 2011
70
76th
The acting is a bit weak, and I didn't care for Mika's character. Aside from that, it's a nice and heart-worming film. Cinematography is as beautiful as the scenery. I know the story's a bit cliched, but if it's told this well, I really don't mind.
Rated 10 Dec 2011
sieghardtSieghardt
Rated 26 Nov 2011
80
84th
A very thoughtful film that goes to great lengths to consider what needs to be said and what's better off left unsaid. Like the story of the rock letter within the film, it communicates certain things through feeling rather than saying
Rated 26 Nov 2011
natebarriosnatebarrios
Rated 07 Feb 2011
70
58th
Very well-made, beautiful, and high-spirited.
Rated 07 Feb 2011
nchabranchabra
Rated 16 Jan 2011
85
89th
Super dramatic and emotional
Rated 16 Jan 2011
glmglm
Rated 01 Jan 2011
83
74th
82.500
Rated 01 Jan 2011
robertaRoberta
Rated 21 Dec 2010
75
46th
Beautiful, but it is another demonstration that human beings can be very forgiving towards people who do not deserve it (his father) and very unforgiving towards those who do (his mother). Well, another one of our miseries...
Rated 21 Dec 2010
cat9mancat9man
Rated 09 Dec 2010
58
17th
Odd, sentimental and a little morbid in a mosy respectful way Comedy did not work at all
Rated 09 Dec 2010
telluridetelluride
Rated 14 Nov 2010
80
88th
Quietly uplifting dramedy, sentimental but unconventional story.
Rated 14 Nov 2010
jlewisjlewis
Rated 31 Oct 2010
86
62nd
Touching, simple film with sensitive. Sensitive themes handled delicately with humour.
Rated 31 Oct 2010
zephonithZephonith
Rated 24 Oct 2010
70
57th
Competently made and memorable for the unusual setting, but a fairly manipulative ending.
Rated 24 Oct 2010
zayankZayanK
Rated 08 Oct 2010
64
30th
That was some terrible acting...
Rated 08 Oct 2010
mklehnermklehner
Rated 16 May 2010
35
5th
How the hell did this win best foreign film?
Rated 16 May 2010
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 20 Feb 2010
61
34th
Maybe if I hadn't watched the series Six Feet Under or seen Red Read, I would have liked this more. On second thought, while the main characters are likable, the film is a bit too predictable and sentimental (in a cheap sort of way).
Rated 20 Feb 2010
caocaocaocao
Rated 19 Jan 2010
71
61st
A simple story with some rich themes. Tsutomu Yamazaki has a fine turn as the boss.
Rated 19 Jan 2010
pediPedi
Rated 06 Jan 2010
70
32nd
Not interesting enough to have succesfully maintain such a slow pace without losing the viewers interest. Probably overrated by most.
Rated 06 Jan 2010
nunstranglernunstrangler
Rated 28 Nov 2009
43
16th
It gets a little sappy and it's too long but Motoki has an eccentric charm.
Rated 28 Nov 2009
plasticmarinerplasticmariner
Rated 28 Oct 2009
83
36th
A great movie about death, but the montage in the middle kind of killed the movie for me.
Rated 28 Oct 2009
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 18 Jun 2009
70
42nd
19 Haziran 09, 00:49am. & http://sineofrenik.blogspot.com/2009/05/departures-okuribito.html
Rated 18 Jun 2009
kakkikakki
Rated 15 Jun 2009
100
99th
This touching story has fun and sad moments and shows how difficult can be dealing with death and its positives and negatives impacts. Cello music is beautiful and gives more drama intensity.
Rated 15 Jun 2009

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