IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD REVIEWED
“In This Corner of The World” is dark, but not “Grave of the Fireflies” level dark. While the tale of a young woman excited for impending marriage feels more Merchant/Ivory, it’s more of a period piece exploitation film. When modern audiences look back on the depravities of war, we’re in terror of what will happen to the characters. Young Suzu is a native of Hiroshima City, but she whips back and forth between Hiroshima and a nearby city throughout the film. Honestly, it becomes hard to pay attention to the material, as you’re waiting for the worst.
When the bomb drops, Suzu is a spectator to the carnage as much as the modern audience. She doesn’t get to feel the pain of the victims, but she loses her home. There’s no more childhood home, old friends or favorite haunts. Life is lost and Suzu is forced to live in a new corner of the world. The pilots of the Enola Gay, the Japanese Army and the Emperor all have no idea of what this means. But, it was Suzu’s home.
It’s not common to see an animated film deal with a woman trying to discern her identity in the face of brutal loss. But, here we are. Make sure to hunt it down this upcoming weekend.
FILM STATS
- PG-13
- 2 hrs and 9 mins
- Shout Factory