Kikujiro

Introduced at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, “Kikujiro” is a Japanese comedic-drama directed, written, and co-edited by iconic filmmaker Takeshi Kitano. Known for his deadpan style and capacity to imbue comic elements into serious storylines, Takeshi continues this tradition in “Kikujiro.” Beyond just direction and screenplay, Takeshi Kitano also stars as the lead character in the movie, further underlining his deft multi-disciplinary abilities within filmmaking. The film also features adept performances from Yusuke Sekiguchi and Kayoko Kishimoto.

The film unfolds around the story of a young boy named Masao(Sekiguchi). Summer vacation has begun, and with all his friends away, Masao is left all alone in Tokyo. Stumbling across an old address and picture of his mother whom he has never met, he decides to undertake a journey to see her. He dreams of reuniting with his mother, and the address presents itself as a beacon of hope in an otherwise routine and grey life.

Meanwhile, Kitano portrays Kikujiro, a gruff gangster type figure with an unpredictable disposition and an unconventional approach to life. When Masao's neighbor (Kishimoto) requests her husband, Kikujiro, to accompany Masao on his journey, an unexpected but exceptional duo is formed. This unconventional pair thrown together by circumstance sets off on a road journey, and it’s this journey that forms the crux of the story.

Despite their starkly contrasted personalities, the unlikely pair gradually establishes a heartwarming camaraderie shaped by their shared experiences on the road trip. The characters reveal their hidden depths along the way, and the narrative articulately demonstrates the slow process of bonding, often presented with a signature element of humor and pathos.

Kikujiro is a quintessential anti-hero, initially appearing selfish and irresponsible. But as the story progresses, the audience realizes there is more beneath his tough exterior. Through taking the role of a reluctant guardian for Masao, Kikujiro lets his latent paternal instinct surface despite all odds. Taken care of by a seemingly unfit mentor like Kikujiro, Masao’s character also evolves from being a lonely, naive child to a more enterprising, street-smart individual.

A unique aspect of the film “Kikujiro” is its ability to present a story that exists in the duality between its comedy and drama components. The narrative introduces a range of distinct characters during the journey – the encounter with a poetry-writing biker, a wandering convoy of hippies, and an inept pair of con artists, each of whom contributes to the film's comic relief while also enhancing the storyline's depth.

Another striking aspect of “Kikujiro” is its breathtaking cinematography. The film captures the essence of the Japanese countryside in an almost lyrical way, with beautiful shots of vast fields, winding roads, and tranquil rivers that side by side with the protagonists, also seem to undergo a journey.

Just as significant is the film’s music scored by celebrated composer Joe Hisaishi. The instrumental tracks alternate between playful and poignant, often as tone cues for the audience, reflecting the mix of comedy and drama inherent in the story.

For some, “Kikujiro” might appear as a simple, linear narrative of a road trip adventure. But beneath its surface lies a wealth of emotion, aesthetic beauty, and a profound exploration of human themes like companionship, loneliness, innocence, growth, and the experience of shared journeys. This makes it a poignant tale that strikes a chord with audiences of all ages. It’s the marriage of Takeshi Kitano’s deliberate filmmaking, the cast’s compelling performances, Hisaishi’s evocative score, and the compelling dichotomy of comedy and drama that makes this film an enduring piece of Japanese cinema.