A Vinod Kumar

Questions like 'life after death' and handling pain of parting are not easy topics even for a movie narrative. These can be conveyed only through protagonists and with poignant story-telling. The makers of this movie marvelously succeed in doing that. What started as an unappealing plot (of an intermediary connecting the dead to the living) turned out to be a spectacular emotional journey, heart-rending moments, and splendid philosophical messaging. The performance by the young actors, particularly Ito Ono, Ai Hasimoto and Tori Matsuzaka, has been majestic and needs special applause for their superlative acting. The film-making by Hirakawa is also marvellous, particularly the manner in which he captured the emotions expressed by the young actors.