IT ALL BEGAN WHEN I MET YOU

Japan, 2013, 106 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Katsuhide Motoki

Christmas in Tokyo. The screenplay was inspired by the UK success, Love, Actually. The setting is the hundredth anniversary of Tokyo Station, the film a celebration of the centenary. The station features, exteriors, the vast interiors, the eagles in the dome… And the range of people passing through, a meeting place.

This is a very enjoyable film, but seems very Western in comparison with most Japanese films. The stories are universal – but it is surprising to see such celebrations of Christmas in Tokyo, the carols, the songs, the pageants, the cards, Santa Claus, Christmas cakes. However, there is always the Japanese good manners, bowing, decorum.

The film has a range of characters and interconnecting stories. One story focuses on long range relationships, an dress designer and her boyfriend out on building sites, contact by phone, some disillusionment, the boyfriend very serious and his ultimate proposal rather surprising! The other relationship is an aspiring actress, who helps out an orphanage each year for the Christmas pageant, encountering a rather hard businessman, attraction, misunderstandings, resolution.

On the sad side there is a young orphan who does not know her parents were, is sometimes taunted by the other children, is cared for by the woman in charge, is fascinated by Santa Claus, receives a gift but is upset because the message to her is written in Japanese whereas Santa came from Nordic countries!

Also sad is a train driver with a terminal illness, farewelled from the company, loving relationship with his wife, wanting to grow old with his young son, helping him with his project about his early years and going to school to hear the son speak it. Tension, emotions, and gradually telling his son about his imminent death.

A mixture of happiness and sadness with the owner of a cake shop, 49 years after having been abandoned by her boyfriend, never marrying, skilled at her work, giving advice to the young assistant who is at University. Then, at Christmas, the brother of the boyfriend comes to tell her about his brother’s happy marriage, that he was to blame for not letting him come but bringing the train ticket that he discovered in his brother’s wallet.

Stories for everyone.

1. A film for the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of Tokyo station? The role of the station, the location photography, themes and characters for the film?
2. The Tokyo setting, homes, the orphanage, AI headquarters, the pastry shop, train through the countryside? The musical score, songs?
3. The inspiration from Love, Actually? The Christmas setting, the characters?
4. The screenplay, the introduction of the characters, their stories, the interconnections?
5. The actress, part-time, her of the work, at the orphanage, the annual play, the rehearsals, the decision to leave, return home, going to the restaurant, imagining dining there with the boyfriend, the encounter with the company manager, his credit card, the bar, her embarrassment, his misinterpretation, the later encounters, his stern manner, with his staff, exacting, wanting the DVDs, his secretary and praising her choice, learning that they were actually chosen by the actress? The apologies, the lavish lunch for the children rehearsing, the actress and her gratitude, the revelation that she was acting in the restaurant, his disillusionment? The play and its success? His loneliness, getting information, going to the bus station, reunited, and going to see Casablanca?
6. The dress designer, the preparation for the models of the show, the demands of her boss, her skill in design, ideas? The boyfriend, his work in the countryside, serious, the details of the work, the relationship at a distance, the phone calls, the wake-up calls, his seriousness, dinner with his boss and wife, with the senior manager? The young woman and her suspicions, her disappointments? The encounter at the station, the show, sending him the ticket, the empty chair, the fact that he was there and her not seeing him, his message, going to the station, the darkness and the eagles, the discussion, on the train, the kiss, his serious character and this not expected?
7. The train driver, his work, the farewell, his disappointment, going home, relationship with his wife, proud of his son, the discussions about his project and his early life, the parents and their answers? Going to their son’s presentation of his project and applauding? His terminal illness, the discussions with his wife, his anger with his son playing the game on his phone, the outings, eventually telling his son, the son weeping? Pondering the videos?
8. The pastry shop owner, her assistant at the University and questioning the owner about her life, her age, this popularity of the cakes, the sick man and his buying one each year, the discussions, the owner, 49 years, abandoned to the station? The assistant, the owner urging her to contact the boyfriend at the University? The arrival of the stranger, the brother of the man, story of his death, happy family, yet his train ticket in his wallet? The flashbacks? The owner and her ticket, happy Christmas?
9. The orphan girl, teased by the other children, the kindly manager, the play, the rehearsals, her absent mother, Santa Claus, the discussions about not seeing him, the gift, her running away, the card written in Japanese rather than in Santa Claus language?
10. Western tone of the film, the influence of Love, Actually? The Japanese celebrating Christmas? But the characteristic Japanese courtesy and bows? Food? Universal stories?