‘ Movie Review: Only Yesterday’
“When my
sisters recall the good old days it's mainly about fashions or pop starts. For
them 1966 was the high point of their youth. But for me it was just fifth
grade.”
The film jumps back in time and again to the present. It reflects Taeko’s state of mind. Unlike the present, the flashbacks are faded at the corners and have been painted with lighter colours. This is because memories become distant with time yet they have been portrayed poignantly.
There is delicate balance between childhood and growing up. The hype around getting your first period, the struggle with fractions, first crushes, tantrums, being picky about veggies and the list of relatable incidents goes on and on! This must be one of the few movies which has showed menstruation in a non-tabooed way.
In one scene,
a small Taeko gets a small role in the school play. She has just one line and
tries to increase a word or two, only to be reprimanded by the teacher. She
practices her line like a zillion times and plays the part well. She even gets
an offer to play a character in a college play. However, her father doesn’t
relent saying that the ‘show people’ are no good. The look of frustration on
her face just tells you everything.
(In 4th grade, I played passer-by 3 and I still remember that single line.)
Her brother-in-law’s cousin, Toshio, is an organic farmer, and has left the city life for good. He contemplates on the quandary of the agriculture industry. Taeko and Toshio become good friends and their conversations revolve around the fundamental questions ranging from ‘Are the ties between humans and nature weakening?’ to ‘How to know where we belong?’
During her sojourn, she dwells upon the possibility of fulfilling her lifelong yearning for farming. She is torn apart by the overwhelming memories of the past and the unfulfilled aspirations. She can take the plunge but is vacillated like all of us are. The theme of contrast and conflict dominates the film.
Only Yesterday is a realistic portrayal of the duality of human nature. Sometimes we are dubious and other times we are just so sure. Isao Takahata cleverly uses the elements of the weather to depict her state of mind. After being asked to stay there forever, a perplexed Taeko runs out in the rain. It is a manifestation of her melancholy. Toshio helps her untangle the warped past. She ultimately comes to term with the person she has become and makes a bold decision.
Ai wa Hana, Kimi wa sono Tane (Love is a flower, you are the seed) plays as the credits roll. It has been translated from the son ‘The Rose’ by Amanda McBroom. The lyrics sum up what the film wants to say.
Some say, "Love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed"
Some say, "Love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed"
Some say, "Love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need"
I say, "Love, it is a flower
And you it's only seed"
It's the heart that fears breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one, who won't be taken
Who can not seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in
the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Life's the seed, that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose
(Source: LyricFind)
It was a delight to witness the metamorphosis of a baffled girl into a confident young woman. Taeko leaves behind her childhood yet carries a part of her younger self.
I am going with 4 stars out of 5. You can watch the trailer in the link given below. As for the movie, you can see it on Netflix. Guess who did the voice over for Toshio? Dev Patel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ZrjocXVJ4
