Harmonium

Harmonium is a 2016 Japanese drama film, a powerful narrative directed by Kôji Fukada. The movie centers around a seemingly ordinary family whose life and relationships slowly unravel in an escalating cascade of tension and mystery. This amazing work is headlined by stellar performances from actors Tadanobu Asano, Mariko Tsutsui, and Taiga Nakano.

Distinctively modern but with an involute touch of traditional Japanese melodrama, Harmonium introduces us to Toshio (Kanji Furutachi), his wife Akie (Mariko Tsutsui), and their young daughter Hotaru (Momone Shinokawa). The family leads a simple, yet fulfilling life near the outskirts of a nondescript Tokyo suburb. Toshio runs a small workshop from their home where he earns a modest income. Their peaceful existence is characterized by the harmonium lessons that Hotaru takes from Akie, which reverberate through the scenes as a recurring motif, giving the film its name.

This tranquility is disrupted with the unexpected arrival of Yasaka (Tadanobu Asano), an enigmatic figure from Toshio’s past. Yasaka is an old friend newly released from prison, seeking redemption and a fresh start. After a lengthy absence, he resurfaces in Toshio's life and is welcomed into their home and business. This seemingly benign decision marks the beginning of a profound transformation for each character and their relationships to one another. Yasaka, with his courteous, almost eerie demeanor, blends into the family structure, influencing each member in subtle yet significant ways.

Tadanobu Asano delivers a stellar performance as Yasaka. His character is a compelling mix of conflicting emotions - remorse, despair, and an unsettling drive for atonement. His presence is understated yet impactful, hinting at barely restrained forces beneath a calm exterior. Asano's portrayal of Yasaka is arguably one of the prime highlights of the film, making his character an intriguing puzzle for the audience to decipher.

Mariko Tsutsui is equally impressive in her portrayal of Akie, the dutiful housewife and loving mother. The character's journey from a content, simple-minded woman to someone faced with unthinkable circumstances is heartbreaking and real. The quiet nuances of Tsutsui's performance navigate us through Akie's profound transformation, giving viewers a deep insight into the character's evolution.

Furutachi, playing Toshio, ably strikes a balance between being an active participant and a passive observer within the unfolding events. His stoic yet significant performance contributes significantly to the movie’s atmosphere.

Taiga Nakano, in a supporting role, adds further depth to the ensemble with a remarkable performance. His small yet significant part intertwines with the central narrative, cementing the overall storyline.

The talent of these actors is employed masterfully under Kôji Fukada's expert direction and Best Director at Festival de Cannes, in the Un Certain Regard category, is a well-deserved testament to his expertise. Fukada's style is characterized by his ability to adopt a measured pace, allowing the story's layers to unfold gradually while keeping the audience hooked. His conscious decision to leave certain aspects of the narrative open to interpretation provides an engaging ambiguity that sticks with the viewer long after the credits roll.

The harmonium, an instrument integral to the narrative, serves as a poignant metaphor for the tensions, miscommunications and yearning that exist beneath the characters' external serenity. It potentially represents life's unpredictability, or the harmony that the family aspires to but struggles to maintain.

Harmonium is a beautifully shot film; it maintains an ominous and suspenseful atmosphere throughout. The cinematography by Kenichi Negishi portrays urban Japan's stark beauty, adding another layer to the movie's depth. It's a tapestry that combines family dynamics, minimalistic lifestyle, unspoken emotions, and undeniable undercurrents of tension.

This is not an easy film to watch. Its subject matter is intense and its emotional resonance, considerable. However, it is ultimately a potent exploration of the human condition, replete with reminders of how fragile peace can be, and how quickly lives can change forever. The viewer is led to confront their own values, to question what is right and wrong, and to reflect on the long-lasting impacts of our actions.

Harmonium is a compelling piece of cinema – a gripping, poignant, and unsettling exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and redemption. Above all, it is a reminder that in the face of tragedy, life must go on, regardless of the crippling harmonies that echo the past. One can safely say that Harmonium skillfully resonates with the human soul, like the notes of a harmonium filling the emptiness of silence.