Sad Vacation (2007)

Kenji, abandoned by his mother, scrapes out a meager existence doing odd jobs including driving bar hostesses and their customers home. Besides this he takes care of the sister of an old ... See full summary »

Director:

Shinji Aoyama

Writers:

Shinji Aoyama (screenplay), Shinji Aoyama (novel)

Stars:

Tadanobu Asano, Eri Ishida, Yuka Itaya

Cast

Credited cast:
Tadanobu Asano	...	Kenji Shiraishi
Eri Ishida	...	Chiyoko Mamiya
Yuka Itaya	...	Saeko Shiina
Yûsuke Kawazu	...	Kijima
Kengo Kôra	...	Yusuke Mamiya
Ken Mitsuishi	...	Shigeo
Aoi Miyazaki	...	Kozue Tamura
Katsuo Nakamura	...	Shigeki Mamiya
Jô Odagiri	...	Goto
Yôichirô Saitô	...	Akihiko
Kyûsaku Shimada	...	Sone
Kosuke Toyohara	...	Kawashima
Maho Toyota	...	Makimura
Kaori Tsuji	...	Yuri Matsumura

Storyline

Kenji, abandoned by his mother, scrapes out a meager existence doing odd jobs including driving bar hostesses and their customers home. Besides this he takes care of the sister of an old friend in jail and a young illegal immigrant. But his life reaches a turning point when he happens to meet Chiyoko, his long lost mother. She is now married to Mamiya, the owner of an express package delivery service. They also have a teenage son, Yusuke. Subdued feelings of alarm, discomfort and resentment between Chiyoko, Kenji, and his half brother Yusuke hide underneath and are seemingly caused by the inseparable blood ties that seem to wield control over everyone's destiny. Is blood that powerful? What exactly defines a mother or a father? While Kenji struggles with these questions and attempts to escape his fate, Chiyoko seems content to let these issues unfold and find a solution. Where will it ultimately lead them?

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

8 September 2007 (Japan)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mamiya Unso Kumiai, Style Jam

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Sequel!

Although it's not stated in this entry, 'Sad Vacation' (2007) is a continuation of Kenji's story, which begins with Aoyama's earlier work, 'Helpless' (1996).

I was happy that 'Sad Vacation' was made because I really did wonder what would happen to him after The End. Were he be able to retain a sense of humanity after shedding his life in 'Helpless'? So many questions. And finally, 'Sad Vacation' provides these answers. Some I found satisfying and some I didn't. Some characters from 'Helpless' appear in this sequel, such as Yuri.

Overall, 'Sad Vacation' doesn't really work well as a standalone, particularly for those who haven't seen 'Helpless' yet. For those who have seen the prequel, 'Sad Vacation' is somewhat anti-climactic, but still worth seeing.