'Call Me Chihiro' Review: Kasumi Arimura starrer teaches what it means to live life on your own terms
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Call Me Chihiro' shows Kasumi Arimura in her debut Netflix drama movie that was released on the streaming platform on February 23, 2023.The screenplay was co-written by Kaori Sawai and the movie is directed by Rikiya Imaizumi ('Just Just Love', 'His', and 'Little Nights, Little Love'). The movie is based on Hiroyuki Yasuda's manga 'Chihiro-san', which was published in Elegance Eve from 2013 to 2018.
The Japanese movie is about Chihiro (Kasumi Arimura), a former sex worker who switched occupations and now spends her days working in a tiny bento store. She soon becomes famous in the city as her life crosses paths with many people - interactions that teach the importance of living life beautifully while you overcome your traumas.
RELATED ARTICLES
'He's Expecting': 5 things to know about Netflix Japanese comedy-drama series
How Studio Ghibli became the mecca of strong, spirited female characters that defy stereotypes
The movie will comfort the lonely
Chihiro was a prostitute in the past who happened to visit a beach town and dine at Noko Noko Bento once. Chihiro being the woman she is, enjoyed the lunch so much that she made the decision to live and work in the beach town. After switching careers she now greets all the customers with a smile who always seem to enjoy the little interactions with her. The thing that beautifully strikes the viewers is that she even discusses many issues with customers and town locals without hiding her past. They find solace in her through their discussions. But, due to her upbringing and early years, Chihiro herself experiences loneliness. She confronts her loneliness, though, and works to improve her life through her relationships with diverse people. She advises everyone to follow their hearts and that the world will always have something to offer. As the movie progresses, the question of how one should deal with loneliness while offering the world a piece of their heart is addressed quite subtly yet beautifully.
Rikiya Imaizumi's touch gives the movie an amazing quality
Even though the screenplay itself is quite brilliant, director Rikiya Imaizumi has provided the film with an extra layer of beauty. The way minute, intimate details of everyday lives have been portrayed is commendable. The dinner scene at Okaji's place, where her mother is shown living as the kind of housewife her husband wants, talks a lot about the story of one's household. The little moments at Chihiro's place also show how incredibly detailed a lot of scenes are in the movie. These moments will talk about how lonely life can get if you're brave enough to live life the way you want to. The calmness in Chihiro's body language throughout the entire movie shows how important it is to spread love and kindness everywhere you go. The collective truth is, households can leave a great impact on one's life and as time passes by, it's you who decide the kind of life you want with the kind of people you believe you belong with. If you're someone who is trying to make a space for yourself, this movie will feel like a big giant hug to you.
'Call me Chihiro' is streaming on Netflix.