Sweet Bean (2015)

"Sweet Bean" is a small, reflective movie that depicts the relationship between a guy working at a dorayaki shop, a sweet filled with 'an' (the reason for its original title), an old lady that appears out of nowhere and tries to convince him to employ her at his shop, and a young high school student who has her own problems with her family. Little by little, they become close to each other, a bond is created and they get a glimpse into their respective pasts.

Naomi Kawase normally does slow-burning movies, with a relaxed atmosphere, long takes and centering on the actors and their exchanges. "Sweet Bean" is not an exception and the actors answer with great performances all around (even sometimes histrionic Kirin Kiki, here very tone down and contemplative). The plot may seem simple, but it has different layers, which will grip the viewer, making them not only enjoy, but also think.

There are a couple of shaky points, though. First, the pace suffers in some moments, being a little bit brusque, some plot developments a little bit out of the blue. The second is that the last act is a little bit overlong and/or in-your-face.

"Sweet Bean" will be enjoyed by everyone. And make you hungry.

Fmovies: SWEET BEAN caught me totally by surprise: I rented it because it looked like another interesting drama with perhaps a hint of humor and just a pinch of sadness. It was all of these things and more: the twist was so shocking that it gave me pause. (Although I've written horror stories and even created a black and white comic book character thus afflicted, one seldom sees a disease like this given the Feature Film treatment.) The performances are all sound and the direction is exactly what one would expect from a "foreign" film director (as opposed to American film directors, most of whom seem to be unable to do anything more than slick Big Screen COMMERCIALS).

This movie tells the story of a man who bakes pastries for a living, selling them in a street-side shop that he does not own. Struggling with his past, he is unhappy. One of his few friends is a schoolgirl, who herself is troubled by a difficult relationship with her mother. One day an elderly woman appears and a beautiful friendship blossoms between the three of them, enriching all of their lives.

The film is deliberately slow paced and quite soft. If you are even the least bit prone to getting emotional while watching films you will cry, I did. The old woman especially has a heartbreaking story, more so because it is based on actual history. Like you might expect from a Japanese movie the aesthetic value is very high.

The only small gripe I have with the movie is that it is very, very sentimental; I would have preferred it turned down a notch. But maybe that's just because like the main male character in the story, I like sweet, but not too sweet.

Sweet Bean fmovies. During the film I asked myself how the Naomi Kawase films leave me so inserted in interlacing of so deep and - at the same time - indescribable feelings. Melancholy, but a sweet melancholy, which mixes a sense that there are many things wrong in life, but despite all that we still have to give us to others and to world. I honestly could not answer my question well beyond this identification... But I accepted that this is part of Kawase films. "Sweet red bean" is, for me, as good as "Suzaku" (another great film of this more than excellent Japanese director) and as beautiful as "Tou ze" (Ann Hui, 2011). "Sweet red bean" touched me deeply. It's saved in the bottom of my heart.

"Sweet Bean" is a film that revolves around Dorayaki--small pancakes that are glued together (usually) with sweet red bean paste. For anyone who hasn't had these sweet beans, they are amazingly delicious and any Japanese dish with sweet beans is a real treat. So, as I watched the film, it made me really, really hungry!

When the film begins, the manager of s tiny Dorayaki shop is approached by an elderly woman who wants a part-time job. He refuses, as she appears to be at least in her mid-70s. However, she is persistent and presents him with some of her sweet beans. After eating them, he realizes her filling is much better than his and he immediately hires her. She teaches him her method and together they are very successful. However, while you'd think this would result in a happily ever after sort of ending, it is NOT so sweet....but actually rather depressing and bitter-sweet. I am NOT being critical about the film...just warning you as folks who are already depressed might be better off watching another film. The themes involving Japanese prejudices against the disabled are interersting...but naturally not particularly fun to watch! Overall, the film has lovely acting and pacing...but also might not provide the sort of payoff you might be looking for in a movie.

...after ten minutes or so I knew that this film was worth to watch. the actors; the pace; the cinematography showing all those sakura trees were perfect.

No doubt that Kirin Kiki is the movie herself but Masatoshi Nagase with his silence and sad face works for me too. Of course to have a good script and director sure help a lot but they captured the mood the right way.

Sometimes we cannot do or see the simply things because life gets on us; sometimes we have the problem; in our minds, souls or bodies. Life is so good for many but a pain for many others too; so depends on what side of the coin you are to live a full one; however, the script is telling us that if you are one that carry one of these big problems better to try to take the best out of you and do it the best possible way without fall too deep. You know, there s no choices, until dead comes...

Kyara Uchida is the third important character here; her roll is a shy but independent teenager that are somewhat on her own due to her mother does not act as one.

In real life she is the granddaughter of Kirin Kiki.