In the Japanese film A Girl Missing, viewers may find themselves “missing” at times. That is to say, it’s an easy film to get lost in, which has less to do with the subtitles than its dodgy and deception-riddled plot.
The main character, Ichiko (Mariko Tsutsui), is a hospice nurse who takes care of a grandmother for a family with whom she has formed a natural and significant bond. Unfortunately, one of her patient’s granddaughters goes missing, and the media reveals Ichiko’s nephew as the perpetrator. In turn, she’s forced to make a decision early on: keep this information from her sheltered, elderly client or risk losing relationships, employment and her good name.
Urged by one of the granddaughters who has ulterior motives and feelings, Ichiko stays mum against her better judgment. The missing girl is recovered fairly quickly and seemingly unscathed, but as one can easily surmise, given the nature of karmic pitfalls, any relief and peace are all destined to be short-lived.
A Girl Missing drags at times and can be rather sleepy in the creases of some of its shady valleys, but it’s also quite bizarre while also being mundane and pensive. Its most interesting aspect is how it can be seemingly harmless and ominous at the same time, threatening no real death in the physical, but more so in spiritual and interpersonal ways. As such, it reflects the ending and changing of life as we know it with regard to comfort zones, boundaries and loyalty.
If you are seeking a feel-good movie, this is not for you, particularly during these troubling times. But if you enjoy digging beneath the surface with what just may be an imaginary shovel, you might go for this one.
Available to rent starting July 31 via grailmoviehouse.com
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