The Goldfish: Dreaming of the Sea Review
The Goldfish: Dreaming of the Sea is a 2021 feature film directed by Sara Ogawa.
A naturally told film that is light on plot but strong in heart, The Goldfish: Dreaming of the Sea is a delightful coming of age story about trying to find a purpose in the world.
There are two sides to how the story is presented in this film. On one hand, you have a showcase for true subversion. Many of the threads that are established go in different directions than you might expect them to go in, which is always a treat.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there can be an argument made that this is merely a sign of perhaps weaker storytelling at play. If the ability was there in how the plot was handled, many of the connecting points would be made in a different, arguably stronger way.
Personally, the thought here leans much more on the subversive side of the coin. This film feels like a true slice of life narrative. In that context, it plays out in a way that life really does sometimes. The things we think we want or need just don’t go how we want them to, and so we adjust. It might not make for a riveting or conventional plot, but it makes something much more true to real life.
All that aside our two leads of Hana and Harumi, as portrayed by Miyu Ozawa and Hanuda Runa respectively, deliver outstanding performances. Extending beyond that, all the supporting players in the feature are excellent as well.
While maybe leaning a touch on the side of melodrama, there are still some misty eyed and genuine moments to carry you through just fine. The Goldfish: Dreaming of the Sea may prove a touch divisive depending on your love for slice of life filmmaking or not. There is still a lot here to enjoy.
This film was screened as part of Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film presented by Japan Society. You can follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Cheers!
Daniel Hess
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