It's fascinating to see the bond slowly develop. Both are stoic individuals who keep their emotions hidden under a mask of self-control.
DRIVE MY CAR MOVIE DRIVER
It's his way of keeping her close, yet this also assists with the warming of the relationship between him and his driver Misaki. During the hour long drives, Kafuku recites his familiar lines of dialogue in conjunction with a recorded tape of Oto reading opposite. A key element here is that Kafuku's contract with the theater group requires him to accept Misaki (Toko Miura) as the chauffeur of his beloved, always spotless red Saab. Koji has been a lost soul the past couple of years, and he claims it's Oto who brought him and Kafuku together. And yes, the actor he chooses to play his Vanya role is Koji, the same actor he previously witnessed with his wife. Instead he puts together a multi-cultural, multi-language cast, including one actor who speaks only Korean sign language. one that forces the actor to face 'the real you' and the missed opportunities in life. He chooses not to cast himself due to the stress the role puts on him. Flash forward two years, and Kafuku has been contracted by a Hiroshima theater group to direct a production of the 'Vanya' play for which he's well known for his acting. We know these people and feel the connections. Each scene to this point has been meticulously crafted and acted. Just when it seems the married couple might address the unspoken, an unexpected tragedy strikes. Kafuku elects to remain silent on the issue and allow Oto to have her way. Because of this, he says nothing when walking in at a most inopportune time - Oto is 'creating' while in the arms of rising star Koji Takatsuki (Masaki Okada). Husband Kafuku has come to accept these terms, and beyond that, he's learned that Oto's infidelities are a continuing of her creative process. These conversations may continue over meals or during a car ride, but they always begin during the throes of passion. The intimate moments are filled with story ideas that she bounces off her partner. Oto's creative juices flow best during and after sex.
Their long relationship is bound by their love for each other despite the loss of a child many years earlier.
DRIVE MY CAR MOVIE SERIES
Yusuke Kafuku (played by Hidetoshi Nishijima) is a stage actor and director married to playwright and TV series writer Oto (Reika Kirishima). But that first segment is absolutely terrific.
In what may be the longest prologue in cinematic history, the opening credits finally roll about 35-40 minutes in. The story revolves around Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya". The director, along with co-writer Takamasa Oe, adapted the script from the short story by Haruki Murakami, part of his "Men Without Women" collection. If you are a fan of little films that seem quiet on the surface but deep down have jarring tremors of emotions, then this 3 hour art-house gem from Japanese writer-director Ryusuke Hamaguchi is a must-see.
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