J-Film Blog

Nobody Knows is a sad movie.  Just getting that part out of the way right now.  Supposedly based on real events (which makes it that much sadder) it’s definitely got potential as a real tear-jerker.

When the incredibly annoying and daft Keiko (“You”) relocates yet again to a new apartment, sneaking in her three youngest children while telling the landlord only about the oldest, you know this isn’t going to go well.  She has a tendency to disappear for days on end, and generally leaves the children to their own devices while she’s gone at work, or wherever.  They don’t go to school, since they’d be discovered.  They can’t be discovered (else they be evicted again) so they have to spend their time cooped up and quiet.

Well, eventually she leaves again, and doesn’t return.  Days go by, then weeks, then months, as the children, led by the older Akira (Yuuya Yagira), find creative ways to conceal their presence, and keep themselves alive.

But, best laid plans aside, Akira soon starts to stray, spending the small amount of money they receive on video games, and letting the bills go.  The water, electric, phone, and gas all go away, and they basically turn into street urchins.

Along the way he meets an older girl, Saki (Hanae Kan) who helps them out.  Truthfully there isn’t a lot that goes on, other than watching them carry on this way.  But it’s done in such a way that holds your interest quite well, maybe in that “train wreck-can’t look away” style.

All goes well, until it doesn’t.  And when it rains it pours.  I really don’t want to spoil the ending.  But suffice it to say, its bad.  Very bad.  And the way that Akira and Saki deal with it is touching and sad, but also very bad.  I can’t think of a better way to put it.

The only real problem with the movie that I can see is that there is no real ending, no closure.  The mother doesn’t return, the cops don’t show up, the landlord doesn’t find them out….  We’re left to see them just continue on in their existence.  Some sort of commentary on life for the rest of us? Or just an abrupt ending? Hard to say.  Oh, and the mother’s character, Keiko, has got to be one of the most annoying characters ever.  Well played by the actress known as “You”, but ZOMG.  If ever  you wanted to just grab a character by the collar and  yell “STFU!!!” this is it.

Nobody Knows isn’t for the action-hungry, but its definitely a good movie.  Check it out, but be prepared.

Amazon:Nobody Knows
Netflix: Nobody Knows
IMDB: Nobody Knows

Trailer: