Rent Tokyo Sonata (2008)

3.8 of 5 from 145 ratings
1h 59min
Rent Tokyo Sonata (aka Tôkyô sonata) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
When Ryuhei Sasaki (played by Teruyuki Kagawa) is unceremoniously dumped from his 'safe' company job, his family's happy, humdrum life is put at risk. Unwilling to accept the shame of unemployment, the loyal salaryman decides not to tell anyone, instead leaving home each morning in suit and tie with briefcase, spending his days searching for work and lining up for soup with the homeless. Outstanding performances; serene, elegant direction; and Kurosawa's trademark chills are evident as he ratchets up the unsettling atmosphere and the grim hopelessness of Sasaki's unemployment.
Actors:
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Directors:
Producers:
Wouter Barendrecht, Yukie Kito
Writers:
Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Max Mannix
Aka:
Tôkyô sonata
Studio:
Eureka
Genres:
Children & Family, Drama
Collections:
Masters of Cinema, Top Films
Countries:
Japan
Awards:

2008 Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize

BBFC:
Release Date:
22/06/2009
Run Time:
119 minutes
Languages:
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 0 (All)
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Making Of Documentary
  • Q&A, Tokio
  • Premiere, Tokio
  • DVD Discusion
  • Original UK Theatrical Trailer
Disc 1:
This disc includes the main feature
Disc 2:
This disc includes the special features
BBFC:
Release Date:
22/06/2009
Run Time:
119 minutes
Languages:
Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1, Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Making Of Documentary
  • Q&,A, Tokio, September 2008
  • Premiere, Tokyo, September 2008
  • DVD discussion
  • Original UK Theatrical Trailer

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Reviews (3) of Tokyo Sonata

So Good And Relevant - Tokyo Sonata review by CP Customer

Spoiler Alert
02/08/2009

After hiring the DVD I felt obliged to go out and purchase the Blu Ray for this film, its that good. Foreign cinema enthusiasts may not have come across the work of Kurosawa previously, despite having released thirteen films before Tokyo Sonata. Those efforts have been confirmed to the Japanese horror genre, with films as varied as Kairo (Pulse) to Retribution (Sakebi), providing him with a well earned reputation as J-horror master. Tokyo Sonata is as such his debut outside of J-horror, which makes it even more remarkable. The picture quality is excellent and seems extremely fresh lacking any artefacts or grain. This clean cut characteristic goes well with the urban settings utilised by Kurosawa, harbouring a wide range of grey, black and white with flashes of colour. The ending is especially poignant, an emotional wrench that really hit home more than I'd really like to admit to in public.

0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

A cracking little gem! - Tokyo Sonata review by Colin Taylor

Spoiler Alert
23/09/2010

A cracking little gem of a film and well worth watching. Not only does the life of the unemployed man inevitably fall to pieces, but all of those around him too because of his actions. Suburban life is shown as limiting and claustrophobic, dehumanising and demoralising those who live within it( interesting though to see a depiction of grubby backstreet Tokyo ).

The film is about making good choices to escape life's pressures, and finding your own way. And if that sounds naff, it isn't; in the hands of Hollywood this script/film would be nigh on unwatchable, but in Kurosawa's hands its a moving and beautiful redemptive tale!

0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Two different films in one. - Tokyo Sonata review by 'Clx2'

Spoiler Alert
14/01/2011

I quite enjoyed the first half of this film. However, just over halfway through, there are some utterly bizarre twists in the plotline, which makes it feel like you've strayed into a completely different film altogether. It seems like the writer couldn't work how to finish the plot within the confines that had already been set up, so veers off in a totally different direction. All in all, a very odd film.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

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