Every Day a Good Day

#Review: Every Day a Good Day (Japanese Film Festival Ireland)

Direction
Narrative
Acting
Cinematography
Score
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4

Starring Haru Kuroki and Kirin Kiki, Every Day a Good Day is a film about young college student Noriko (Kuroki) as she attends a Japanese tea ceremony with her cousin Michiko (Mikako Tabe).

This tea ceremony is there for Noriko throughout the course of her life as she takes many of the lessons she learns from this class and her sensei Mrs Takeda.

The Way of Tea

The tea ceremony itself is fascinating to watch. The motions Mrs Takeda go through are like a dance with her hands instead of her feet. Watching Noriko and Michino progress in skill over the course of the film Is brilliant and you feel their bonding as they improve.

At the beginning of the film, Noriko doesn’t quite like her over popular cousin but through the course of their journey in the tea ceremony, they mature and grow closer.

The ceremony itself is quite taxing with the young students. The level of skill required is daunting, but the ladies are resolute. And through this resolution both Noriko and Michiko grow as individuals.

When life takes both women to different paths we stay with Noriko and watch as she keeps with the tea ceremony and how life unfolds. It’s nothing overly dramatic, it is simply life and watching her story unfold is surprisingly engaging.

Every Day a Good Day – Comforting and Refreshing

Every Day a Good Day is a technically wonderful film and much like Mrs Takeda and her masterful skill with tea, director Tatsushi Ohmori has expertly crafted this film. Then there is the set design, which I got a particular kick out of. Mrs Takeda’s home feels like something out of a bygone era. Her house is found in a strange almost magical intersection and it feels like Noriko and Michiko travel back in time every time they enter her home.

With the choice of placement of characters in scenes to the beautiful lingering shots dotted throughout, this is an aesthetically pleasing film. Couple this with a whimsical score and you’re in for a treat when tea time comes.

Much like Every Day a Good Day is a calming story. There is no need for frivolous drama. This film is about maturity and patience and this is a lesson we could all use right now.

Tune in to Scannain tomorrow for my thoughts on the last film I saw from the Japanese Film Festival Ireland.