Review: In ‘Great Absence,’ a son puzzles out the dad he misunderstood, now fading into dementia

As a movie lover with a deep appreciation for poignant and thought-provoking films, I was deeply moved by Kei Chika-ura’s “Great Absence.” This Japanese production masterfully explores the complexities of dementia and its impact on both the affected individual and their family. The film’s authentic portrayal of a fractured relationship between an estranged son, Takashi, and his father, Yohji, resonated with me on a personal level as I have had family members experience memory loss.

When dementia takes center stage in a family, the damaging effects begin to show early on. It is during this unsettling time, when confusion reigns for everyone involved, that Japanese filmmaker Kei Chika-ura creates his poignantly sad film “Great Absence.” The story revolves around an insensitive father’s dementia and a son who was previously estranged from him, as he delves into the past in search of answers.

Using a superb screenplay written by Chika-ura and Keita Kumano as a foundation, and featuring a remarkable portrayal of decline by acting legend Tatsuya Fuji (known for “In the Realm of the Senses), this film skillfully balances understanding of complex situations with leaving certain aspects of the heart and mind unexplored and captivatingly mysterious.

In Tokyo, actor Takashi (Mirai Moriyama) discovers that his elderly father Yohji (Fuji), who lives in Kyushu, is implicated in a troubling police matter. Rather than from a place of affection, Takashi feels obligated to make the journey due to their strained relationship. As a result of a divorce, Takashi has kept his distance from his father for nearly all of his adult life.

Accompanied by his producer wife Yuki (Yoko Maki), Takashi helps Yohji adjust to living in a care facility, which Yohji believes is a prison in a foreign land. The home they enter is filled with the accumulation of a lifetime, including Yohji’s cherished ham radio setup and scattered notes reminiscent of a crime scene against memory. There is a mystery to unravel: Yohji’s devoted second wife Naomi (Hideko Hara), the woman he left Takashi’s mother for, seems to have disappeared.

When it comes to Yohji’s questionable truthfulness and Masaki Miura’s reluctance to share Naomi’s location, Takashi is faced with the challenging task of unraveling the intricacies of Yohji and Naomi’s past relationship on his own. With Yohji being an unreliable source and Masaki being secretive about Naomi’s whereabouts, Takashi’s father having treated Naomi more like a housekeeper in the past, Takashi turns to a valuable asset – a thick diary filled with letters. This diary unfolds a complex and enlightening tale of love between Yohji and Naomi.

In this movie, the compelling narrative is built around its unique time-jumping format. It interweaves the past and present as if they were interconnected currents. The flashbacks take us back to Takashi’s tense home visits, revealing a marriage on the brink of collapse due to Yohji’s volatile behavior, powerfully portrayed by Fuji, and Naomi’s waning resilience, beautifully depicted by Hara with subtle suffering. In contrast, in the present day, Takashi, engrossed in his father’s diary as if preparing for a complex role, is shaken by the discovery of an emotional depth to Yohji that he had never suspected, leaving him feeling adrift.

“The poignant emptiness,” subtly echoing the pandemic era, brings a deep sense of lonely sadness as it highlights the effects of an aging population on the younger generation. This is evident in the contrasting marital relationships between Yohji and Naomi, with their patriarchal union, and Takashi and Yuki, who share a more equal partnership. Moreover, the film portrays the repercussions when a challenging man must face his own dependence. In its thoughtful yet tense environment, and with a well-structured narrative, Chika-ura has crafted a novelistic exploration of one man’s fading self-awareness. However, as he fades away, he finds an unexpected connection in his distant son’s thoughts. Therefore, “The poignant emptiness” becomes a captivating and heartfelt story of generational understanding and remembrance.

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2024-07-27 08:01