Nagareboshi (2021)

Shows the power of storytelling

Judging it simply as a movie, Nagareboshi is a felicitous watch. I found myself watching this a few months after my initial watch because of how sweet and impactful the story line is. You're taken on a journey with Natsuko, witnessing her realise her husband's (Kensaku) eternal love. Watching Marie's story line was really heartening too, as you see her extending beyond being a witch, helping both Kensaku and Natsuko mature. There is another plot line running through the film which carries a twist, which only adds on to the rewatch value of Nagareboshi.

The casting made for this movie was splendid, with wiser Natsuko played by Matsuzaka Keiko and her younger counterpart, Taira Yuna, who gave perfectly identical mannerisms and acting. NHK certainly capitalised on the uncanny resemblance between the older and younger Kensakus; Funakoshi Eiichiro and Kiriyama Akito.

We're mostly used to splendid movies having heavy impactful themes or high action sequence, occasionally a movie such as this reminds us that simple can be as stellar and shining.

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A Heartfelt Love Story with Time-Travel

Nagareboshi was one of the most heartfelt and emotionally moving love stories I've ever watched. As someone in their review has already pointed out, it showcases the power of storytelling and its heart lies in how it portrays the human condition. The feelings of love, longing, regret and kindness have been depicted so masterfully by the characters in the story, especially by Natsuko and Kensaku. I loved how, just like the elder Natsuko (or Natsumi, should I say?) we ended up warming up to Kensaku's character after initially having met him as a brash and rude person. The last few moments of the drama made us fall in love with Kensaku just like it showed Natsuko how single-mindedly devoted he had been to her for his entire life. Marie's character added more warmth and joy to the storyline, and I loved how she understood both Natsuko and Kensaku so well. The ending of the drama is what I believe makes it such a tearjerker (I ended up crying like a child in the last few moments) but I loved how it had an open ending with hopes for a better and more loving future for both Natsuko and Kensaku.

I would love to hear the thoughts of others about the ending. Was Kensaku really brought back to life my Marie? Did that mean Marie became a shooting star? (We do get a glimpse of a shooting star in the last scene) Or was the ending really the last time Natsuko talked to Kensaku?

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