Review: Tony Takitani (B)

Tony Takatani (2004)
Directed by Jun Ichikawa
Starring Issei Ogata, Rie Miyazawa and Shinohara Takahumi
MPAA: UR
Grade: B

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

Tony Takitani is a wonderful, delicate film that combines gentle, yet powerful acting with elegant atmosphere. Director Jun Ichikawa spins a beautiful tale of love, longing and loneliness. Tony Takitani is a lyrical film that slowly develops. The director's style reminds me of Bergman, Ozu and maybe even Jarmusch.

Issei Ogata stars in a dual role here, both as Tony Takitani and as his father, a jazz musician that "was not made to be a father". Tony is a loner that is a talented illustrator. He finds love and eventually marries a girl fifteen years his junior. The woman (played in another dual role by Rie Miyazawa) is a compulsive shopper that steadily amasses an enormous collection of designer clothing. She cannot stop shpping and this puts strain on the marriage.

Tony Takitani is an elegant story told with precision and grace. The acting is above par and the somber cinematography by Taishi Hirokawa is excellent. Nominated for a Best Foreign Film 2006 Independent Spirit Award, Tony Takitani is a fascinating piece of cinema. It was a standout at Sundance and for good reason.

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