Koji Fukada, feature film “Love Life” : Review

Love Life is the latest film of one of my favorite contemporary Japanese directors, Koji Fukada. I was first introduced to Fukada in 2020 when I discovered the incredible film that is ‘Harmonium’ or 淵に立つ, Fuchi ni Tatsu in Japanese. That summer I found myself being drawn to the slow-burning fire of Japanese family dramas by filmmakers such as Hirokazu Koreeda and the legendary Yasujirō Ozu, eventually that newfound love would lead me to find ‘Harmonium’ on Amazon Prime with the golden Un Certain Regard logo next to the title, indicating the critical success the film had enjoyed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. By the time the credits had rolled, I found myself in complete awe of the emotional rollercoaster that Fukada-San had taken me on and it would eventually inspire me to start my own website and YouTube channel covering cinema, especially Japanese films. However, as incredible as Harmonium is, we’re here to discuss Fukada-San’s latest project, Love Life.

In the tranquil seaside town of Kobe, Japan, a seemingly harmonious family life unfolds between Taeko, a social worker with a gentle demeanor, her second husband Jiro, a kind and supportive man, and their energetic eight-year-old son Keita. However, in typical Fukada fashion, their peaceful existence is shattered when a sudden tragedy strikes, leaving them grappling with grief and the complexities of their relationships.

Keita, a talented Othello player, is the center of their world, bringing joy and laughter to their home. His unexpected passing plunges Taeko and Jiro into a deep abyss of sorrow, testing the resilience of their bond and challenging their ability to move forward.

Amidst their overwhelming grief, the shadow of Taeko's past resurfaces. Park, Keita's biological father, a deaf man with a troubled past, re-enters their lives, disrupting the fragile equilibrium they had established. His reappearance stirs up unresolved emotions and long-buried resentments within Taeko, forcing her to confront the complexities of her past and her choices.

As Taeko navigates the turbulent waters of her grief and the intricate dynamics of her relationships, she finds solace in the support of her close-knit family and friends. Their unwavering love and compassion provide a lifeline amidst the darkness, reminding her of the enduring power of human connection.

Through a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring human spirit, "Love Life" delves into the depths of human emotions, revealing the transformative power of resilience and the enduring strength of family bonds.

Even though Love Life doesn't hit the same heights that Harmonium did all these years ago, despite sharing several similarities in terms of the plot and themes, it is undoubtedly Fukada’s best-looking film and is a welcome return to form for one of Japan’s contemporary champions. If I ever have the chance to meet Fukada-San, we will have to have a conversation about that entire sequence in Korea….