The Long Excuse
The Long Excuse

The Long Excuse

2016Movie124 minJapanese

A recently widowed writer whose wife died in a bus crash comes to terms with his grief—or lack of it—in caring for the children of a working man who also lost his wife in the same accident.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users88%
Director: Miwa NishikawaGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A famous author, Kiyokazu, is devastated by the sudden death of his wife in a bus accident. He learns that his wife was traveling with another man, who also perished in the crash. Wracked with grief and guilt, Kiyokazu decides to visit the families of the other victims. His journey takes him to a remote island where he encounters the family of the man his wife was with, leading to unexpected emotional revelations and a deeper understanding of loss.

Critical Reception

The Long Excuse received critical acclaim for its poignant exploration of grief, loss, and human connection. Reviewers praised its nuanced performances, sensitive direction, and profound emotional depth, highlighting its ability to evoke empathy and introspection.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sensitive and profound exploration of grief.
  • Noted for strong, understated performances from the lead actors.
  • Appreciated for its quiet, introspective pacing and emotional resonance.

Google audience: Audiences widely appreciated the film's emotional depth and the powerful performances, finding it a moving and thought-provoking experience that resonated with their own experiences of loss and human relationships.

Awards & Accolades

Screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film is based on a novel of the same name by Makiko Uchidate, who also wrote the screenplay.

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