Asian cinema has experienced an unprecedented international boom in recent years. Not only are figures like Akira Kurosawa recognized internationally, but many other Korean, Japanese, and Chinese directors have started to be recognized worldwide. Among all of them, one figure has stood out, especially in recent years: Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
The recent director of Evil Does Not Exist released all kinds of films with an atmospheric and slow-paced style that characterizes him. But among all of them, Drive My Car is undoubtedly his masterpiece. Released in 2021, it won the Oscar for Best International Film in the year of its release. It has just arrived on the streaming platform Max, so anyone with a subscription can enjoy it.
A different proposal to watch on Max
Based on a story by Haruki Murakami, Drive My Car follows Yusuke Kafuku (played by Hidetoshi Nishijima), an actor and theater director who, after the sudden death of his wife, accepts to direct a play in Hiroshima. As he tries to cope with a loss full of secrets, Kafuku finds an unexpected connection with Misaki (Toko Miura), the young and silent chauffeur who accompanies him on his trips to Hiroshima.
Through long car trips where silence and peace reign, both characters slowly open up, revealing their emotional scars that make it clear that they are much closer than they thought and that they both need healing.
Undoubtedly, Drive My Car is a unique film in its genre. It is not suitable for all tastes, as its slow pace and focus on introspective dialogues are uncommon in current cinema. But thanks to this, Hamaguchi manages to make the film a space for reflection and the search for its protagonist.
