Stunning movie only Kore-eda could make

I'm convinced that only Hirokazu Kore-eda could make a film about tragic child neglect, appear so beautiful. Yuya Yagira's performance as a 12 year old boy forced to take care of his younger sisters is astonishing. Kore-eda's ability to photograph in such a real, natural way is unmatched. It's 2 and a half hours of mostly misery but that misery is portrayed in such a charming and innocent way. The third act is forseeable in some ways, but Kore-eda frames it in such a gut-wrenching manner that the predictability instantly forgivable. That it's based on a real, even more tragic story, makes it all the more unfathomable.

It's hard to put into words the ability that Kore-eda has, to show us humanity on screen. Close ups of unpaid gas bills with child's scribbling on them, dirty fingernails, hopelessly wandering the streets etc. It all builds up to a hugely moving climax with a tiny ray of hops at the end. Kore-eda is one of the greatest living Directors.