Gray also drew inspiration from Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien (a mater of patience), as well as Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu, to whom Hou’s “Cafe Lumiere” was an homage. And there are a lot of them unfolding in short succession, keeping the progression of time slightly out of reach at all times. Gray said he built the film specifically with Juri in mind, and that shows, as she’s in nearly every scene of the movie. But the film illuminates more brightly amid its overall mundanity in moments of, well, patient observation: as Toshi and Chloe enjoy a spicy noodle dish, or a local lets them in on the secrets to making perfect soba noodles. Toshi is a musician, and we get a little bit of a glimpse into that world. There are a few characters who come and go out of this almost docudrama-style film, like Toshi’s adorable daughter Futaba (Futaba Okazaki), as well as his grandmother (Sachiko Ohshima). “Blood” is a patient and observant film that asks its audience to be equally patient and observant - to mixed results. She’s up against a mountain of barriers here, in the form of language, personal obstacles, and otherwise. That might be because Chloe is most definitely still grieving her husband, and cinematographer Eric Lin lets us in on some of her most wrenching reveries, generally filming from a distance to drink in the environs - until a crucial moment late in the film when a sobbing Chloe finally breaks down. ‘Run Rabbit Run’ Trailer: Sarah Snook Is a Haunted Mother in Netflix Horror Film Though our suspicions of his amorousness toward Chloe are confirmed by an awkward moment where, after much platonic friendly time together, he asks her out on a date, and she shuts him down. Toshi, who wears baggy clothes and appears disheveled and a little lost through most of the movie, doesn’t really get much of a shot at character development either. There’s a bit of a will-they-or-won’t-they air hanging around them, though Gray’s muted and mostly meandering screenplay does little to build off that suspense. Awash in memories of her late husband and their trips exploring the wild terrain of Iceland, photographer Chloe is welcomed in Japan by her old friend Toshi (Takashi Ueno), whom she appears to have a nervous but well-worn-into affection for. Despite Juri’s commitment, however, the world Rust has built around her (vividly conjuring the magic of on-location Japan) blunts the performance and ultimately leaves just a gossamer, alienating impression.īut how beautiful that scenic backdrop is. Adrift after the death of her husband, she finds herself in Japan on business, wandering an unfamiliar landscape that also emerges as a backdrop to her mourning. Rating: D.Swiss actress Carla Juri showed us how far she could push us in the ick-factor department with 2013’s squirmy and riotously distasteful coming-of-age sex comedy “Wetlands.” In “The Exploding Girl” and “Jack and Diane” director Bradley Rust Gray’s gently plaintive soul-searching odyssey “Blood,” his latest low-key, melancholy outing, Juri shows more restraint but packs no less punch as a widow named Chloe. Despite, good camerawork, there isn't really else to say about this movie instead it was dull and bland. Those the movie want to go this way or that way? Even if it wants to go either way, there's no lead way on where this movie is going. The pacing is the worst part of the movie as there is no headway where the movie wants to go. The emotions presented here are really one dimensional and very bland as there was very little to offer. Choices made from the characters really make you wanna roll your eyes or say something like "Oh my god, just get over it alright." The dialogue is garbage. None of the characters were interesting at all as they felt like basic characters you have seen for the millionth time in other better movies that exist in this world. All the performances were just meh and nobody really wowed me as anything special or captivating. It's nothing wrong to show beautiful camerawork in a movie but the story and development has to connect with it as well in order to fullfill it's purpose. Instead, he would rather focus on how beauty Japan is and the amazing culture aspects presented throughout the movie. It's very clear that Gray doesn't have any idea how to properly develop the story, character, and real in-depth emotions. Gray understands how to make shots and sets look really beautiful but this movie unfortunately becomes one of the most joyless experiences I have seen at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Blood is directed by Bradley Rust Gray and it's a story about after the death of her husband, a young woman travels to Japan where she finds solace in an old friend, but, when his comforting turns to affection, she realizes she must give herself permission before she can fall in love again. Saw this back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
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