Kikujiro (1999)

Featuring the dynamic duo that puts Batman and Robin to shame, Kikujiro will make you cry because you laughed a bit too hard, weep because of the emotional scenes at times, and then cry again just because it is hilarious. It follows an unlikely friendship between a boy, Masao, who leads a relatively boring and solitary life and his, well, ‘shady’ neighbour, Mr Kikujiro. After an entirely uneventful first few days of his summer vacation, Masao finds a picture of his long last mother, having been filled with determination to find her, he decides to embark on a journey to find her. Problem is, she’s a few hundred miles away, so Masao’s neighbour decides to send her husband to accompany him on his trip, maybe not the best idea on her part but hey, it makes for some comical shenanigans. You see, it would be perfectly alright if the man in question was a respectable and charming individual, but you see, Mr Kikujiro is not above many things and tends to either procrastinate or carry out petty crimes to attain his goals… encountering colourful characters and getting themselves into questionable situations at times, Kikujiro definitely makes sure that Masao’s road trip is one he will never forget- in a good way of course! Well, asides from being unprepared and soaking by the end of the film because my family around me wept so much, I really enjoyed this movie. The character development of Kikujiro becoming a better man from bonding with Masao, who in turn became less reclusive and more outgoing, was excellently depicted by Takeshi Kitano, as he finally learned what it is to be honourable and true through working with a vulnerable child who had quite a bit in common with him, it still doesn’t keep him from doing dubious things from time to time but hey, at least he’s improving. I’d definitely recommend this film to all other FilmClubs out there, the story is so moving, and the acting is so droll, it makes for a great film altogether. I’m not saying that you should nick this film from the store like Kikujiro most likely would, but I learned something- to do the right thing, sometimes you’ve got to do a few dodgy things along the way. Disclaimer: I am hereby not responsible for anyone who has stolen a copy of this movie from a store, it’s all satire, don’t take me seriously.