Hirokazu Koreeda’s serene and affecting Japanese film, Our Little Sister, which opens in Canada on July 22, focuses on three sisters who yearn for a sense of family and find it, remarkably enough, after meeting their younger step-sister.
The Koda sisters, all in their 20s and single, live in their late grandmother’s rustic cottage in a small sea-side town near Tokyo. Sachi (Haruka Ayase), the de facto head of the family, is a nurse. Yoshino (Masami Nagasawa) works as a banker. Chika (Kaho), a happy-go-lucky bohemian, is unemployed. They’ve been together since their parents split up some 15 years ago.
Having received news of their father’s death, they attend his funeral in a nearby town, where they’re introduced to their step-sibling, Suzu (Suzu Hirose), a sweet-natured teenager.
Out of concern for her future, they invite Suzu to live with them, and she accepts their invitation. Personable and adaptable, Suzu has no trouble fitting into their household as well as into her new school. Suzu is one of those rare individuals who clicks with everyone she meets.
The film, directed by Koreeda with finesse, delves into the lives of the older sisters, who seek male companionship, and examines their budding relationship with Suzu, who connects them with their late father by means of reminiscences about him.
Nearly two hours in length, the movie unfolds quietly and unobtrusively, revealing the layers of their respective personalities.
The four sisters bond over traditional meals at home and in a simple diner where fried mackerel is the speciality of the house. They grow still closer as they engage in casual conversations, do their nails, pick plums from an old tree in their garden and dress up in kimonos.
In a magical and unforgettable scene, Suzu and a young man who likes her ride a bike down a road adorned with clouds of pink cherry blossom trees, revelling in the sheer beauty of the landscape.
A visit by the three older sisters’ mother reminds them of troubled times, but the episode passes quickly and seems tot leave no indelible impression on them.
Sachi’s boyfriend, a doctor who’s considerably older, wants her to accompany him to Boston, where he has found a new job. But is Sachi ready to put distance between herself and Suzu?
Our Little Sister draws viewers into its world, connecting us with four sisters who seek friendship, love and stability.