Plan 75

5/21/2023

With the ever ageing population putting considerable pressure on the resources of the Japanese government, they pass legislation that will allow any citizen over the age of seventy-five to apply for an assisted suicide programme. They will get $1,000 and an all expenses paid, group, cremation. "Hiromu Okabe" (Hayato Isomura) is a young man charged with the administration of applications and he encounters "Michi" (Chieko Baishô). This is a lady still pretty sound of mind and body, but who is alone. She feels her existence is a burden, her home is soon to be demolished and it's fair to say that she sees little purpose in continuing to go through the motions. The young man also encounters an elderly gentleman - his estranged uncle "Yukio" (Take Takao) who is of a similar state of mind and alt

8/3/2023

Great concept, poor execution. The images were well-done and the colors chosen to give the feeling of seeming hopelessness from the main characters. However, the story is way, way, way too slow. In fact, there isn't really a story at all. This could is a "slice of life" movie that feels like it's going at the pace of life. It's not clear whether the pace and chosen script were due to budgetary constraints, but as many "winners of cannes film festival", this is just a great idea waiting for a better remake. Many things could've been explored like the turbulent events that led to the law being adopted, a story following the people protesting the adoption and how they eventually lose, a jump forward a decade or more where taking advantage of plan 75 is normal, or a reality TV-esque do