92. Monster (Kaibutsu); movie review

 

MONSTER (KAIBUTSU)

Cert 12A

127 mins

BBFC advice: Contains discrimination, domestic abuse, suicide references, sex references

He's done it again! How Hirokazu Kore-eda maintains such a dazzlingly high standard while being so prolific must be a mystery to other film directors.

Since I began the quest to watch every UK movie release in 2011, I have seen more of his work than anyone else.

I have endorsed each one and he is still on an upward trajectory.

His latest picture, Monster, is wonderfully crafted. He examines what appears to be an open-and-shut case of abuse from myriad angles and arrives at surprising and satisfying conclusions.

The picture stars Sakura Andō as a single mother who struggles to understand the strange behaviour of her fifth-grade son, Minato (Sōya Kurokawa).

She fears he is being bullied at school, and at a meeting with the principal, it emerges that Minato has been struck by a teacher (Eita Nagayama).

Her frustration is exacerbated because, while the staff apologise profusely, they don't seem willing to take further action.

At this stage, Mrs W and I were entirely on her side, unable to comprehend how lawyers and the police do not become involved.

However, in Rashomon-style, the same scenario is played out from different points of view and the fall-out is seen through the eyes of the various protagonists.

The results are remarkable because nothing is quite what it seems.

Kore-eda proves again that he is a master storyteller but could never achieve such complete brilliance without excellent actors.

Andō is terrific as the mum worried for her vulnerable son, while Nagayama equals her as the accused teacher.

But most memorable are Kurokawa and Hinata Hiiragi, who plays Minato's classmate.

Both give touching portrayals of isolated youngsters in desperate need of a best friend.

It all adds up to a classical Kore-eda and probably one of the films of 2024.

Reasons to watch: Superb Rashomon-style drama

Reasons to avoid: Upsetting scenes

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9/10

Did you know? Kore-eda's father was born in Taiwan before being conscripted into the Japanese military during World War II and detained in Siberia for three years after the end of the war. 

The final word. Sakura Ando: "I found my emotional and mental level declining because I wasn't able to work (because of the Covid pandemic). I saw this as a challenge to make myself rise up from where I was and an opportunity to participate in Mr. Kore-eda’s project with his crew." Forbes

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