Someone is a 2016 film based off the novel of the same name written by Asai Ryo. The film features a cast of very well known actors and actresses known as, Satoh Takeru, Arimura Kasumi, Suda Masaki, Nikaido Fumi, Okada Masaki, and Yamada Takayuki. Miura Daisuke also directed for the film's creation. Someone debuted at fifth place during it's release in theaters in Japan. The theme song also titled after the film was a hit in Japan as it placed within the top ten spot on the Oricon charts.
Five university students are joining the job search to take the next step in their lives. All of the students are hopeful by posting their progress on twitter to encourage each other. Their real feelings are hidden under the fake smiles though. Each person has their own problems that they must face in order to find their own guiding light in life. Either you jump over the line away from what makes you comfortable or you stay in the same place that takes you nowhere.
This film comes off as pretty damn dry in excitement. I believe many fans of Japanese cinema will have high expectations for Someone just based on the casting. What a hell of a cast this film has and sadly the film doesn't have a huge impact in the beginning. Well, let's say that the film does have an impact. It's up to the viewer to understand whats unfolding on screen. I had to watch this film two times to full enjoy what I was watching. A style of backtracking to the past is used constantly in the film. Then the characters are kind of complexed in personality. One of the magical factors of this film that, I believe is the reason why this film resonated with Japanese audiences, is the focus on job hunting for youth in Japan. Finding a good stable job anywhere in the world is a challenge. Imagine the struggle in Japan when everyone is super competitive for a spot at a business company. There's not time to joke around for these characters and as time goes on, the pressure get's heavier for them. The last ark of the film is the best part of the whole film. You get the real inside look at what the hell was going on in those dry ass scenes. I though the overall conclusion was satisfying enough to make up for the non eventful scenes…… Ok Ok. Events happened in this scene but the answer to the questions of whats going on lifted the fog of confusion that I had. I took away from this film the message to be your authentic self no matter what. Others can sense when your not being true to who you are. Including those who are interviewing you for job opportunities. Also, hiding who you are becomes emotionally draining. Let that weight off your shoulders and be happier. If the characters did this in the beginning, their problems wouldn't have been so problematic.
Such a variety of different personalities are presented in this film. Each character was portrayed in a precise fashion to showcase the differences. Our main character was one of the most withdrawn characters that I have ever watched. More than that, his love interest has confidence issues too. However, life problems forces her to be more outspoken as the film progresses. Feeling like enough is enough will do that to you. Then there's a character that are super laid-back about the whole job hunting thing. I like Suda's character. Its just that his attitude could be seen like a slap in the face to other who are trying hard to get a good job. His character goes where the wind takes him. The character did that for the whole damn film. Next, characters that liked to fake that they had everything under control. Where was their job offers though? Yep. See my point. Satoh's acting was the glue that made this film feel right. His character inner fight with himself was too raw. That war of doing what you love or doing what you know will guarantee an income. I would say do what you love while also finding a way to make an income out of that. Some people don't believe that they can do things this way but you can.
Best feature of the filmography was the stage play used to explain the last part of the film. Some might not understand these scenes. I on the other hand saw these scenes as symbol for the character's inner turmoil. I enjoyed the stage design with the square divided into four sides where each scene was reacted from the main character's perspective. The character actually loved theatre so much. His pride just got in the way of what his heart desired to do.
Someone is more of an arthouse film for people that can understand the message being conveyed without the clues being too obvious. It's not a film for everyone. As seen by some of the comments online saying that the film wasn't good due to the meaning going over their head.
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