MovieChat Forums > Yurîka (2000) Discussion > A great scene this

A great scene this

posted 17 years ago by mac_alain
5 replies | jump to latest

from http://www.popmatters.com/pm/film/reviews/35471/eureka1/

Makoto's (Koji Yakusho) brief reunion with his wife, Yumiko (Sayuri Kokusho), is one of the more striking [scenes] and exemplary, subtly and increasingly uncomfortable, as they timidly test what cannot be said and what cannot be ignored. Shot as a series of one-shots as they chat in a restaurant, surrounded by crisp white tablecloths, the conversation turns taut as they stand to leave: at this point, their very different pains are almost palpable. His eyes search hers, he wonders whether they might try again. She smiles, her eyes too bright, but can hardly maintain the charade. She hits him playfully, calls him a "monster," and accuses him—a little too nicely—of not "taking care of her." He says he's sorry, as he tells most everyone he meets now. But it's too late.

Says it all. A very emotional scene, and just about as emotional as it can get in a Japanese movie. Had me going.

[–] mikpii 16 years ago

Yes it was a very good scene, one where the film's pervading sense of isolation was especially strong: the restaurant located high up in the building and the uneasy view to the city below, and then the interiors of the restaurant itself: no other customers, everything perfectly arranged; and of course the confused interaction between the former couple.

[–] mac_alain 16 years ago

Well summed up, mikpii

[–] elcu 16 years ago

Yes, it's definitely my favourite part of the movie and actually one of my favourite movie scenes EVER.

The camerawork is also notable - I remember the shot were it sort of drifts to look out the window. Really heartbreaking scene that.

[–] KenMishima 11 years ago

Agreed with everyone in this thread. One of my favorite film scenes ever, it's just powerful and really well-done. The shot where the camera slowly drifts away from them to the window was great. And yeah, the isolation was even more unsettling. Very painful to watch... Especially when they finally depart, and you can see her no longer able to maintain her composure and she just bursts out crying, albeit silently.

Also, does anyone know what she whispered to him right before she took off?

[–] polysicsarebest 11 years ago

My favorite scene is when they all slide down the hill on the beach to a jim o'rourke song. amazing scene.

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Shuji Terayama forever.