Sweet Bean (Review)
Sweet Bean, a seven-time nominated film with ranges of ratings from 7.3/10-9.8/10, as well as 4/5 stars given by critics and up to 5/5 stars by normal viewers, is a film that not many have seen outside of Japan, but is one of director Naomi Kawase’s most well-received films, besides Still the Water and Suzaku. Sweet Bean, a tale of unlikely friendships and patience, materialized over a delectable Japanese sweet, formed from bean paste and pancakes (Dorayaki), with an underlying story that gives way to an insight of a disconcerting piece of Japan’s past, takes its viewers on a simultaneously heartwarming yet heart-wrenchingly emotional an hour and 53 minute excursion. Directed by Naomi Kawase, a four-time Palme d’Or competitor with her visually beautiful films that often have an underlying message on the unspoken bonds made between man and his environment, Sweet Bean (also known as “An”) does just that, but with food serving in nature’s place.