Japon is a wonderful, poetic, quiet, little film that comes out really big. We go with the film's protagonist on a divine, glorious trip to some Canyon in Mexico. The director Carlos Reygadas really makes this trip worth going to. His minimalistic and visually perfect pictures of the tedious landscape, make it `eventually' beautiful. Just when you think of the director's devotion to the leading female character, it's worth the whole time and money you spent. He presents her in a glorious light, shows her generosity and humanity, her kindness, her simplicity in a way to stun you, to show you the real human being, to make you admire her despite her age and looks. And you do. What a genius performance from the 79. years old newcomer Magdalena Flores. She literally shines in this role.
It's really one of the most poetic films I've seen in years, and it never gets boring, the 140 minutes just fly by and in the end you want to see more and more. Okay, it is disturbing at times - some images are for a strong stomach - just remember the decapitation of the bird, the horse with its intestines out, the dead cat, the agonizing bawling and the last seconds of a pig's life, horses mating, the full frontal masturbation, the two leading characters having sex), but it's all redeemed in the glorious music (the operatic arias), and the phenomenal, breathtaking, haunting and emotional ending. It reminded me of The Piano - Ascen definitely knew that greed is a sin (her nephew was the main cause that the film ends tragically, IMO - he caused all the trouble) and that she's not a sinner. But maybe that's why she went on the cart (lorry), because she thought she is. But eventually, she maybe sensed that something like that will happen, and that she chose death, she chose to take that ride, she wanted to stay with her house (or what was left of it), and even if that costs her life. (like in The Piano, when Ada chooses to go down with the piano, no matter if she survives or not). What a brave woman she is/was, indeed.
It's a divine film!
****1/2