asfandyarace Reviews

Family Romance, LLC (2019)

An awkward and tense reflection on humanity and its commodification

[9/10 · 24 December 2020]

An opportunity to witness Herzog's perfectly refined, and yet somewhat awkward style. Whilst the movie isn't riveting in a classical sense, the slow and constant rhythm draws us in.

There is a constant, permeating tension throughout the movie between reality and imitation. I found myself questioning this paradigm on two levels: To what extent is this movie a documentary? To what extent do the characters realistically portray family members?

As for the first question, the lines are extremely blurry. A family renting industry is known to exist, and Yuichi Ishii (the actor) is known to be the founder of one such company. Ishii claims the relationships throughout the movie are based on reality, but the New Yorker claims him to be unreliable. Nevertheless, the question itself is important and creates an uneasy tension as it plays and forth in our heads.

Ishii is clearly the standout in a cast of amateur actors. His performance is sensitive, realistic and almost paradoxically satirical (at times). He carries the story through to an emotional climax that poses yet more questions.

Herzog consistently uses complex metaphors and strong symbolism and a lot of the spiritual discourse of the movie can be found outside its dialogue (perhaps the result of Herzog directing in a second language).

In conclusion, give it a watch. It's a beautiful introduction to Herzog and will leave you with more questions posed than answered.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2003)

Abrupt and unique. Utterly encapsulating and moving

[10/10 · 17 April 2020]

It's hard to impose any preconceived notion of what a romance film should be upon this movie. Its odd and quirky from the offset, and continually unpredictable. The abruptness and lack of grandeur at certain pivotal moments in the storyline, leads to intense and confusing emotions. Too often has a movie of this genre been predictable and dramatic. Josee, the tiger and the fish strikes a balance. It is the right amount of sentimentality mixed with sharp, cutting doses of reality that culminates in an experience that is ultimately very rich. One that leaves us confused, hurt, bewildered and with the odd notion that something is missing. Strikingly similar to how both lovers feel at the end of the movie. The remarkable subtlety of the ending is beautifully contrasted with the sheer intensity of emotion that surrounds this story. It is not a movie that I will forget about any time soon.

Read more for some shoddy analysis. Spoilers ahead The tiger and the fish signify monumental parts of Josee's journey. Both are animals that she sought out. Whilst the singling out of these two items seems odd, it is testament to the abruptness of her journey. This is all Josee gets to experience whilst in the 'honeymoon period' of their relationship. Proceeding this, life returns to normal. Except it isn't so normal. Her awareness and experience of the possibilities she has, has increased. In some ways this is the redeeming factor of her relationship, or is it? Perhaps her exposure to the wealth of experience available has brought to home the constraints of her disability. The naivety and rareness of the love and makes it doubtful that something similar will occur to Josee. She is forever trapped with the memory of her bliss. That is the cruelty of this movie, and is the reason why it shall never be forgotten by me.