Have you ever seen one of those mysteries in which the program concludes with a reveal of what actually happened? Of course you have. They’re big in the Agatha Christie world … or any mystery world where the sleuth puts it all together at the end. Monster is a film so complicated that the explanation took longer than the prologue … and I’m not sure the film got it right.
I am determined to review this film, because that’s what I do, but I’m not sure I can do it justice. This thing is a Monster.
I can start here, I guess: Monster is about two boys who get lost in the woods. Or not. The boys seem to know where they were going if no one else does. But first, the film has to explore teacher abuse and/or bullying and possibly sociopathological behavior. I told you already, Monster is a handful.
Troubled schoolkid Minato (Sōya Kurokawa) is being raised by a single mother, Saori (Sakura Andō). Minato starts doing weird stuff – cutting his own hair, coming home with only one shoe, hanging out alone in a drainage tunnel. After talking with her son about it, Saori pulls a Karen and decides to go after the teacher, Mr. Hori (Eita Nagayama). I believe in English the phrase is “I’m going to ha
ve you fired.”
Mr. Hori doesn’t know everything going on … what teacher does? He believes Minato is bullying the really weird kid, Yori (Hinata Hiiragi). In his effort to protect students, the administration concedes: “There was contact between Mr. Hori’s hand and Minato’s nose.” Act I is Saori’s perspective, we see her POV as reasonable and not necessarily Karen-ish. Act II is devoted to Mr. Hiro’s perspective where we see his actions as justifiable towards injury prevention, but that won’t save his job. Not in the 21st century. No way. He doesn’t take it well.
And then both boys go missing.
Act III is the retraced perspective of Minato. (It would be ridiculous to deny to Rashomon influence here.) Minato’s perspective is both straightforward and confusing leading to a conclusion that seems as non-sequitur as possible. It is as if the film wanted to introduce a new film with the climax. I see that many are calling this film brilliant; I found it engaging and intelligent, but ultimately confusing. Was it unsatisfying? Hard to say. Twas my last film in a week that saw 24 feature films. At that point, anything is going to be a little tiring, especially a film that engages the brain like Monster.
If you want a thought piece and a minor tribute/homage to Akira Kurosawa, Monster is your film. If you want a relaxing streaming-and-popcorn evening, Monster is so far away from the film you wish to see, I hope it isn’t even available to you.
There once was a boy named Minato
Who struck out at the luck-at-birth lotto
For his life seems a mess
And single mother distress
You’ll sympathize if your brain ain’t on “auto.”
Rated PG-13, 127 Minutes
Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu
Writer: Yûji Sakamoto
Genre: Films that will leave you puzzled
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Detail hounds
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Any Fast & Furious crowd
