What A Wonderful Family!

What A Wonderful Family! is a delightful 2017 movie from Japan filled with hilarious yet valuable life lessons. It stars acclaimed veteran actors including Isao Hashizume, Kazuko Yoshiyuki and Masahiko Nishimura and is directed by esteemed director, Yoji Yamada. The movie is known as "Kazoku wa tsurai yo" in Japan and is a follow-up to the 2016 film of the same name, continuing the comedy and drama of the Hirata family life.

In What A Wonderful Family!, Isao Hashizume reprises his role as Shuzo Hirata, the head of the typical but extraordinary Hirata family, displaying the complex nuances of a patriarch who is both set in his ways and seeking boundless freedom. Kazuko Yoshiyuki brings the matriarch Tomiko Hirata to life, depicting her wisdom, patience, and wit that keeps the entire family together. They are supported by Masahiko Nishimura, who plays their eldest son, Konosuke, a character that encapsulates a crucial blend of modern corporate life and traditional familial duties.

Set in contemporary Tokyo, the movie primarily revolves around the Hirata family. While they may seem like an average Japanese family outwardly, their insightful interactions, witty banter, and dynamic conflicts make for an endlessly entertaining cinematic experience. Whether it's the individual ambitions, generational clashes, or the whirlwind romance of the youngest members, the narrative interweaves multiple threads seamlessly.

What A Wonderful Family! blends comedy and drama to provide keen insight into the evolving dynamics of modern Japanese families. It handles a myriad of themes, including love, commitment, generational differences, individual aspirations, societal norms, and the subtle complexities of family relationships. Alongside the humor and drama, the movie also nudges us to reflect on our own family relationships and, perhaps, even the shifting gender roles within our homes.

In this movie, director Yoji Yamada brilliantly juxtaposes elements of old and new Japan. The bustling Tokyo cityscape and the traditional family home of the Hiratas create a beautiful visual contrast further enhanced by meticulous attention to detail in production design. The movie puts the spotlight on the sometimes messy, sometimes joyous, but always love-filled realities of family life. The director's ability to focus on these often overlooked moments of daily life and infuse them with humor and sentimentality perhaps holds up a mirror to our own families.

The screenplay is laden with sharp humor and astute observations, making What A Wonderful Family! more than just a source of hearty laughter. It cleverly articulates the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity in Japanese culture by playing out familial conflicts and sweetly resolved crises within the microcosm of the Hirata family. Despite the cultural specificity of its setting, the film's portrayal of human relationships transcends borders and speaks universally.

Additionally, the performances in the film are outstanding. The cast skillfully portrays a range of emotions and builds believable characters adding to the overall authenticity of the film. Isao Hashizume, with his robust and sometimes obstinate portrayal of Shuzo, ensures the viewers are empathizing with the patriarch's struggles and idiosyncrasies. Kazuko Yoshiyuki's Tomiko is equally impressive, as she carefully balances traditional expectations with personal desire, providing an emotional anchor to the Hirata household. As Konosuke, Masahiko Nishimura embodies the middle-aged man's struggle to fulfill family responsibilities while concurrently pursuing professional aspirations.

What A Wonderful Family! is not just a movie but an exploration through various layers of family dynamics. Its tender, loving, and hilariously human portrayal of a family navigating life in modern Japan is genuinely touching. Its riotous humor is well balanced by moments of simple, unadorned emotional truth. Bright, vibrant, complex, and filled with belly laughs and heartwarming moments, What A Wonderful Family! is a delightful concoction of family drama crafted with superb artistry. The comedy, drama, and life lessons that What A Wonderful Family! brings will age beautifully as part of cinema that holds a mirror to our lives and makes us appreciate our own families. If you're seeking a movie that provides an uplifting cinematic experience with a profound but subtly imparted message, What A Wonderful Family! may just be the film for you.