Departures

I went to the movie with little expectations. There were some reports that claimed that it was an overrated movie and did not deserve the Oscar award for best Foreign film.

But it was one that touched me so much at every departing scene and the first ever movie that made me tear 5 times in all.

Very wholesome in the portrayal of how the living faced the grief of sending those who have departed. So many different families exist. It's rather complete in the showcase of emotions of different families, ranging from the hysterical to the subdued to the ones that see death as a gateway to another life.

But still, I could identify with all of those even though I have not had any family member leave me yet.

And I learnt how noble the job is and truly can see from the movie that it was an art to do what the lead actor does to the deceased.

Most befitting is the very last scene of the movie. I think people in the cinema all cried buckets towards the end. Truly touched and it was bitter sweet tears, the tears of recognition of the importance of family ties, the respect for the deceased and how tradition should be passed on from one generation to another.

I wouldn't mind watching the movie again, if you want. It was 2 hour long but I did not feel that it was draggy or painful. Like a good orchestra leading you into a world I had always so wondered, a range of cello pieces that matched the movie greatly, it definitely deserved an award.