Monster – sometimes it’s a question of what not who in this somewhat frustrating film #bff23

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s episodic film Monster presents a series of glimpses into the same set of events from different perspectives. First time around, it’s clear who the bad guy is. And the authorities in this Japanese school are dragging their feet dealing with him. Yet in the next cycle, the monster has dropped a generation. Now it’s blindingly obvious who is to blame. Third time round, and it’s clear that the eponymous monster is not necessarily a person. The shortlist has grown to include attitudes, imperfect parenting, rumours, and homophobia.

Young Minato (Soya Kurokawa) lives with his Mum Saori (Sakura Ando). Mr Hori (Eita Nagayami) was once lauded as a great teacher. Now the jury is out, and one parent in particular is out to get him. The elementary school principal (Yûko Tanaka) has just returned to school after the death of a grandchild. A fire rages in a building that allegedly contained a hostess-bar. A typhoon ravages a city and causes a landslide. It’s as if end times were around the corner!

Amidst the mayhem, we see an underground friendship develop outside of the vicious classroom between Minato and another uncool classmate Yori Hoshikawa (Hinata Hiiragi). Yuji Sakamoto’s screenplay exercises control and restraint, leaving few clues early on as to the theme of the film, never mind which aspects of scenes will be important to the plot, or why it will be worth investing 125 minutes in this set of characters.

The payoff eventually arrives in the final half hour. Better late than never, but the delayed gratification did somewhat tarnish my feelings towards the film and leave me frustrated for long periods. (That might also be a product of the late night screening.) Yet there are other bonuses. Sakura Ando’s portrayal of Minato’s mother is a beautiful picture of patience and grace under pressure. There are moments when Ryuichi Sakamoto’s piano-based score gently fades in, matching the verdant foliage, and adding hope to what at times is a depressing film.

Tonight’s screening of Monster at Queen’s Film Theatre was sold out. Check out my other recommendations at Belfast Film Festival which continues until Saturday 11 November.

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