27/13
A repressed matriarchy and unfortunately extraordinary circumstances – a disturbing earthquake, crushing debt, a dying ex-husband, an enraged colleague and her son’s girlfriend – bring her to the brink. The title “Hamon” is a standard Japanese word, meaning literally “ripples” and metaphorically the influence each of us has on others. This is emphasized several times in this film with scenes in which the main characters – wife, husband, son, etc. – stand in a shallow lake and the waves emanating from one character expand in the usual circular pattern to reach the others. An interesting enough visualization of interpersonal relationships, but nothing that could not be applied to any film involving people. Or, indeed, any living organism. The film follows the tribulations of a Japanese housewife who is forced to deal with the sudden disappearance of her husband, the death of said husband’s father, the running away of her only son to university and then a career as far as one can travel without leaving Japan (well, except for Okinawa), and then the reappearance of said promiscuous husband. Among other events. There’s a lot of humor, a lot of bathing, some awkward scenes with the deaf fiancé that the son brings home unannounced. I think it was worth watching even before the final scene, which was surprising, exciting, exhilarating, actually quite wonderful. Ouch!
