Activate your BLOCKBUSTER On Demand device

Tokyo Sonata (2008)

Tokyo Sonata (2008)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
A typical household secretly teeters on the verge of collapse in this stark drama from director Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Businessman Ryuhei Sasaki (Teruyuki Kagawa) is the principal breadwinner of a seemingly happy family in Tokyo, with Ryuhei looking after his teenage sons, Takashi (Yu Koyanagi) and Kenji (Kai Inowaki), with his wife, Megumi (Kyoko Koizumi). But what Megumi and her children don't know is that Ryuhei is out of a job; his position was outsourced to a company in China, and he's too ashamed to tell his family the truth. Ryuhei leaves home every morning as if he's going to the office, but instead visits employment centers in hopes of landing a new job and eats lunch at a kitchen for the indigent. One day, while waiting for free porridge, Ryuhei meets an old friend who is in a similar predicament, Kurosu (Kanji Tsuda); Kurosu ends up bringing Ryuhei home for dinner so they can discuss their fictive day at work and maintain their subterfuge. Megumi, who is not as well-adjusted as she appears, one day spots her husband in a soup line while running errands, and discovers the truth about his employment status, though she doesn't dare confront him. And as Takashi and Kenji begin drifting away from their emotionally distant parents, Kenji starts to suspect things are not as they should be, and begins spending his lunch money on music lessons in hopes of starting a career as a pianist. Tokyo Sonata was an official entry at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Teruyuki KagawaKyoko Koizumi, (more)
Director(s):
Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of Tokyo Sonata

A typical household secretly teeters on the verge of collapse in this stark drama from director Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Businessman Ryuhei Sasaki (Teruyuki Kagawa) is the principal breadwinner of a seemingly happy family in Tokyo, with Ryuhei looking after his teenage sons, Takashi (Yu Koyanagi) and Kenji (Kai Inowaki), with his wife, Megumi (Kyoko Koizumi). But what Megumi and her children don't know is that Ryuhei is out of a job; his position was outsourced to a company in China, and he's too ashamed to tell his family the truth. Ryuhei leaves home every morning as if he's going to the office, but instead visits employment centers in hopes of landing a new job and eats lunch at a kitchen for the indigent. One day, while waiting for free porridge, Ryuhei meets an old friend who is in a similar predicament, Kurosu (Kanji Tsuda); Kurosu ends up bringing Ryuhei home for dinner so they can discuss their fictive day at work and maintain their subterfuge. Megumi, who is not as well-adjusted as she appears, one day spots her husband in a soup line while running errands, and discovers the truth about his employment status, though she doesn't dare confront him. And as Takashi and Kenji begin drifting away from their emotionally distant parents, Kenji starts to suspect things are not as they should be, and begins spending his lunch money on music lessons in hopes of starting a career as a pianist. Tokyo Sonata was an official entry at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
119 mins

Complete Cast of Tokyo Sonata


Director(s):
Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Writer(s):
Kiyoshi KurosawaMax MannixSachiko Tanaka
Producer(s):
Yukie KitoWouter Barendrecht
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13(Adult Situations)
Categories:
ForeignDrama
Tokyo Sonata Awards:
  • 2008 - Cannes Film Festival - Jury Prize
  • 2008 - Chicago International Film Festival - Grand Jury Prize
Looking for special editions of Tokyo Sonata?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription 
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 
BuyPreviously Viewed   $7.99
(disc only)  
Previously Viewed   $9.99
(disc, case & artwork)

New  $17.99
 

IN-STORE

 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
YOUR REVIEW
WRITE A REVIEW
 
1000 
 
Member Reviews
 
Stephen F.

This Japanese film is very well done. A modern family living in the high unemployment culture of Japan when the father loses his job and loses control of his family. The subtitles are an easy read.

Yes   |   No

 
Gene B.

A slice of life movie, Japanese style. A bit tedious to watch as the dialog must be followed using English captions. Strange subplot with the wife's abduction. The son's successful musical accomplishment is the uplift needed to overcome the depression of most of the movie.

Yes   |   No

 
Frank K.

first half was very good...went down-hill in second half....

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 28 Reviews