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Amazon.co.uk Review
Without special effects, corny music or any flashy visual jiggery-pokery whatsoever, former documentary-maker Hirokazu Kore-eda's elegantly discreet drama manages to be one of the most haunting films ever made about life after death. The action unfolds in what looks like (and is, in real life) a disused school, powdered with the first winter snows. This is Limbo, a sort of dole office cum movie studio, where a group of clerical workers process the recently dead. Their task is to help each recently deceased choose one memory from their life to take with them into all eternity, a memory the will help recreate with props and jerry-rigged sets, for the celestial video records. Those who can't choose a memory, like Arata (Takashi Mochizuki), must stay on to help the new arrivals until they decide.
Kore-eda's last film, Maborosi, was concerned with a woman coming to terms with her husband's suicide, and had a blackened mournful palette to match its subject. Ironically, After Life is a sunnier, warmer movie, full of delightfully unforced performances by its largely non-professional cast, many of whom are "playing themselves" having been culled by interviews Kore-eda conducted during development. The leisurely pace leaves one unprepared for the sudden stabs of emotion and drama that eventually puncture the placid surface. All in all, it easily puts such nauseating Hollywood kitsch as What Dreams May Come to shame, and leaves one pondering its teasing central question: what moment would you choose? --Leslie Felperin
Product Description
At a way station between heaven and earth, the newly dead are greeted by guides. Over the next three days, they will help the dead sift through their memories to find the one defining moment of their lives. The chosen moment will be recreated on film and taken from them for all eternity. From the director of Nobody Knows. Extras: Commentary by director Alison Pebbles and writer Andrea Gibb. Theatrical trailer. Audio description.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is a quietly brilliant film. Somehow, nothing seems remotely unlikely about the films central premise, it seems totally reasonable due to the perfectly judged performances. There is a wonderful tranquility about the film, it is beautifully shot, its only visual trick is good use of light which is all that is required. While the visual brilliance of directors such as Darren Aronofsky and Wong Kar-Wei is very much appreciated, and effects are rarely used superfluously, the same kind of treatment would overpower this film. The script raises questions without ramming them down your throat, suggesting 'maybe you might want to think about this', and is definitely a film about celebrating life, not worrying over death.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a masterpiece of quiet simplicity. Eschewing the swirly white lights and special effects of other films about the after life, it builds slowly to a beautiful conclusion. Profound and thoughtful without ever being sententious or heavy, it celebrates the beauty of the ordinary. A film that stays with you long after other, flashier films are forgotten
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a profound meditation on death, memory, love and cinema. Beautifully shot, evocatoive and atmospheric; the actors live the part rather than act and the dialogue is sheer poetry.
A flawless gem of a film. A spititual experience that demands deep contemplation about the meaning of our lives and what we leave behind when we leave
A flawless gem of a film. A spititual experience that demands deep contemplation about the meaning of our lives and what we leave behind when we leave
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Truly touching.
A film has never touched me like this one before. Much like a haiku it is very gentle.
As the title suggests, this film is set in a afterlife. Read more
As the title suggests, this film is set in a afterlife. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Ewan JF
This Conceptual Fantasy Drama is Worth a Look
After Life evolves around the premise of a facility where people who have died go through before they leave the planet to live forever in a memory of their choice. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Andy Norton
This film will stay with you forever
I saw this film several times on channel World Cinema- sadly now gone.
I think this film will stay with me forever. Read more
I think this film will stay with me forever. Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2009 by M. Taylor
Good movie
The movie is great, Ingenious, But the release is i 1.66:1(4*3) instead of The original Ratio 1:1.77 (Alternative Widescreen)
I dont understand why they cut off some of... Read more
I dont understand why they cut off some of... Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2008 by Danny Christian Jensen
Koreeda's experimental piece on life after death
After Life, revolves around the recently departed spending a week in a hostel, with their personal counsellor. Read more
Published on 3 May 2008 by B. Sarkar
Beautiful, lovely and gorgeous
Everybody needs to at least see this gentle, important film at least once. It's a very lovingly made, humane and humanist piece that you don't want to end, and leaves you valuing... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2005 by J. Hackney
After Life
A stunning film, I thought, and I'm not sure why. I've owned it for a while and showed it a number of times to different friends. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2004 by kentfx
a must film for the thinking person
Only Japanese can produce such a brilliant movie. Sensitive yet bold this movie reflects upon the viewer's own lives and causes us to think and ponder the everlasting question "why... Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2001
Stairway to heaven!
Those who need to be convinced about japanese cinema should take a look at this offering from Koreeda. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2000
memories are what we hold onto and take with us when we die,
How far back can you remember? if like me you find it hard to tell, because a mix of memories, family photos, and stories that are seen and we then re-inforce over time with each... Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2000 by honest_guv@excite.co.uk
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