Like a comfort food.

I saw this movie when it came to a local film festival. From the first scene, I was completely in love with this movie. I think it was the first Takeshi Kitano movie I'd seen, and subsequently I was fortunate enough to see most of his other films, but no matter how fabulous the others were, this one will always be nearest to my heart.

I'm pretty sure my adoration was clinched with Hisaishi's score. I remember very clearly after leaving the movie theater I sang the theme all the way home so that I could put it down on the keyboard and memorize it (the main theme is repeated often enough, it isn't hard to get stuck in your head.) I also bought the soundtrack (for a small fortune) at the local video store the moment I saw it available.

Now, years later, I still pull this film out on occasion. I've let most of my friends borrow it. My husband and I have laughed at it. I have an angel bell in my car. This movie subtly changed my life.

And today, after sitting with my mother in the hospital waiting room all day, waiting for my father to come out of surgery yet again, waiting for the doctor to tell us the bad news yet again, waiting and waiting, I heard the music playing in the gift shop on the other end of the waiting room. Suddenly, all these years, sitting in this same waiting room, all these moments became vignettes. Surreality takes control at the oddest of times.

I came home, and for the first time in years, pulled the film out, put it in the player, made myself some popcorn, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Again.