The Japanese Wife Review, Movie Review of The Japanese Wife

THE JAPANESE WIFE - is another venture by Aparna Sen about relationships. Her films have always been special and so the ' The Japanese Wife' is. It' s about two people who are bound to each other via letters, where distance doesn' t matter to them. Relationship between Snehamoy (Rahul Bose) and Miyage (Chigusa Takaku) starts as pen friends. They keep writing letters to each other, get attracted to one another and even marry over the letters without meeting in person. They keep sharing their lives, every smallest incident and secrets through phone calls and letters.

Sure a unique story written by Kunal Basu and translated into celluloid by Aparna Sen with the same beauty. One more reason why ' The Japanese Wife' has become a good piece of work is because of its right casting. Rahul Bose is eccentric and Raima Sen' s silence was too expressive.

One might have thought stories like this unravel in a slow pace, but everything is fine when the proceedings keep you engaged, especially towards the culminate part.

' The Japanese Wife' is a story of love birds Snehamoy (Rahul Bose), Miyage (Chigusa Takaku). Snehamoy and Miyage are pen friends, who didn' t meet even after fifteen years of their marriage through letters. Sometimes due to the illness of Miyage' s mother or at other times due to the bad health of Snehamoy' s mashi (Moushumi Chatterjee), they were unable to meet each other. But the distance doesn' t matter to them as they are real soul mates and still remain faithful to each other over several years in the physical absence of their better-half.

The third pillar of the story Sandhya (Raima Sen), a widow and god-daughter of Snehamoy' s mashi makes an entrance latter. One day she enters Snehmoy' s house along with her son Paltu. Snehmoy begins sharing the household routines with Sandhya and also finds the joy of fatherhood with Paltu.

Meanwhile the news of Miyage' s ill health frightens Snehamoy. Her health worsens with time and so Snehamoy decides to go to an oncologist in Kolkata to clearly identify the situation of his wife.

A heart-rending story, which is real as well as unreal, will surely fascinate you. It is real because one can expect/imagine people who look over physical relationships. Unreal because it' s hard to believe the physical absence can sustain love in today' s world of ‘love, sex and dhoka' . You may find many reasons to watch the film, but watch it because it holds the basic element - love - which binds all of us together.

Aparna Sen has skillfully handled the story. The writing is the mainstay of the film and sure it wouldn' t be that great without the impressive acting by its lead characters. The film also captivates you because of its simplicity and life-likeness.

On the flip side, it is in Bengali with English sub-titles, which might make it difficult for you to grasp the film in one watch.

Rahul Bose has performed his role elegantly. Chigusa Takaku, the Japanese actress also has enacted her part equally well. Raima Sen, who has not uttered many dialogues, had spoken through her big expressive eyes. Moushumi Chatterjee is talented and exceptional in the film.

Watch ' The Japanese Wife' for a different experience of love and relationships. A must watch for art film lovers. ' The Japanese Wife' stands out because of its unique story.

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