I Was a Simple Man

I Was a Simple Man is a profound and deeply moving film directed by Christopher Makoto Yogi that premiered in 2021. At the intersection of complex family dynamics, legacy, and the enigma of mortality, this movie paints a vivid picture of life, loss, and the threads of commonality that join the past and the present. The film features stellar performances from Steve Iwamoto, Constance Wu, Tim Chiou among other brilliant actors that enrich the melancholic tableau of love, grief, and awakenings.

Set against the backdrop of Hawaii's picturesque landscapes, the film offers a refreshing break from the conventional cityscapes that often dominate cinema. The lush greenery, the tranquil sea, and the soothing breeze of the tropical paradise add to the poignant narrative, underscoring the vibrant life that runs through even in the face of fading existence.

Steve Iwamoto plays the role of Masao Matsuyoshi, an aging man teetering on the precipice of life and afterlife. As his health deteriorates, he finds himself in the company of the memories from his past, the spirits of those he's shared his journey with, and the daunting solitude of the present. The fluctuating timelines narrate Masao's life in different stages, providing retrospective glimpses into his past and the ghosts of his dreams and regrets. His interactions with his family, interspersed with the dialogues of his life, adds depth and emotion to the story, revealing a man who has journeyed through life with simplicity and honestly, though not without his share of flaws.

Constance Wu, popularly known for her role in Crazy Rich Asians, portrays Grace, one of the three adult children of Masao. Wu magnificently depicts the inherent strength and vulnerability of Grace, who is grappling with the impending loss of her father and struggles to craft her relationship with him amidst the reality of their disjointed past. Her portrayal is a poignant testimony to a daughter’s love for her father, overcoming the imperfections of their shared history.

Tim Chiou delivers a commendable performance as Mark, another of Masao's adult children and a middle-aged man caught between his own life's challenges and his father's dying days. Navigating through the maze of responsibility, expectation, and unresolved feelings, Chiou evokes raw, simmering emotions which resonate with the audience.

Director Christopher Makoto Yogi has stitched together a fine narrative that threads the nuances of mortality, forgiveness, and familial ties against the enigmatic hue of magical realism. The wandering spirits from the past and their interactions with the protagonist lend an esoteric element to the film, enhancing the mystique of life and its many layers. The screenplay, embodying a blend of realism and surrealism, examines the realm of life and death through an original prism.

The movie’s sound design and scores also weave a spell of their own. It perfectly harmonizes with Hawaii’s pace and energy, making both the silence and the rhythmic music sustain their own dialogues parallel to the characters' storyline. The cinematography is picturesque, capturing the beauty and lifestyle of Hawaii in its absolute purity and magnificence. The recurring themes of nature and its alignment with the different stages in Masao's life lend a realistic touch to the movie.

I Was a Simple Man is not just a film but a meditation on life, relationships, ageing, and the inescapable reality of death. A slow-burning narrative that captures the human experience in its most authentic form, this film forces us to ponder over life's fleeting pleasures and the inevitability of our mortality. It explores, with gentle sensitivity, the paradoxes of a simple yet complex life, unwinding the mysteries and the truths that underpin our existence.

While Iwamoto, Wu, and Chiou promise compelling performances, it's the sum of all parts that makes this movie a wholesome experience. With elements drawn from Hawaiian folklore and culture, the film provides a deeper understanding of the island's inhabitants and their struggles, dreams, beliefs, and resignation.

This film stirs up an array of emotions. It crafts a narrative that remains like an aftertaste, long after the credits roll by, making you ponder, recall, and relive the story. I Was a Simple Man is a must-watch for those who enjoy cinema that is both visually striking and poignantly narrated. It promises to be an eloquent tribute to the uncomplicated beauty of living and the unavoidable truth of dying, which are both woven intricately into the very fabric of human existence.