Megane
(Alternative Title: Glasses) | 2007 | 1h 46m
Genre:
Dark Comedy / Comedy / Drama | Country: Japan
Director:
Naoko Ogigami | Writer: Naoko Ogigami
Cast:
Satomi Kobayashi, Mikako Ichikawa, Ryô Kase
IMDB:
7.1
My
Rate: 8/10
Taeko’s vacation to an unnamed island—which she initially thought would be a break from routine—slowly turns into a disturbing experience. The locals start acting overly familiar, interacting with her in ways she doesn’t want, crossing the personal boundaries she’s always kept.
Warning:
AlcoholSynopsis:
Taeko
goes on vacation to an unnamed island with a lodging located close to the
beach. She brings several books she wants to read there. She hopes this
vacation will be her escape with a new atmosphere and a desire for adventure.
But the plan doesn’t go as she expected.
The
villagers’ behavior is quite strange and disturbing. The owner of the lodging
doesn’t treat her like a guest, and she’s even woken up by Sakura, who suddenly
appears inside her room. Interactions that she finds bothersome and violating
her privacy. Until Taeko decides to look for another lodging, which turns out
not to be any better.
In
the end, Taeko gives up and returns to her old lodging. Taeko also begins to
loosen up a bit and tries to accept the situation she’s facing. Little by
little, those interactions change her and her way of thinking.
Will
Taeko find the calmness she dreamed of?
Review:
Imagine
when you need calmness, but instead you have to face interactions you never
wanted. That simple premise is the core of Megane—a film that seems
light, but actually holds a lot of messages about pause, personal space, and
the way we learn to truly stop. With minimal dialogue and a quiet rhythm, this
film feels like inviting the audience to take a deep breath after running for too
long.
The
story opens by introducing its characters in a way that’s simple but strong.
Each character has a uniqueness that feels noticeable right away, even though
their backgrounds aren’t explored in depth—a choice that might raise some
questions. But maybe this aligns with the film’s style, which focuses more on
atmosphere than information.
The
main conflict lies within Taeko. Her privacy is repeatedly violated, making her
frustrated and overwhelmed. But slowly, almost as if forced, Taeko begins to
learn to open herself to the island’s fully laid-back rhythm. This
transformation feels subtle: from someone who wants to escape from busyness, to
someone who learns to slow her pace to truly feel the world around her and let
the flow carry her.
The
ending is presented softly and satisfyingly. The closing scene, reflecting the
opening scene—with a slightly different touch—shows Taeko’s journey toward a
new, calmer life cycle. The characters grow not through big conflicts, but
through acceptance.
The
actors perform naturally without exaggeration. The challenge of minimal
dialogue and expression becomes a strength, especially in the small, charming
scenes like morning exercises by the beach. Although some viewers may feel
bored due to the slow rhythm and limited location, that’s actually the essence
of the film: slowness as experience.
The
summer atmosphere, gentle waves, refreshing shaved ice, calming bright colors,
and the flowing sounds of nature—all create a warm, quiet space. Every visual
and audio element works together to build the island’s atmosphere that slowly
seeps into Taeko, and into the audience too.
Megane
seems to remind us that life doesn’t always need to be chased, and calmness
sometimes has to be learned, not just found. There are moments when we need to
stop, feel the wind, see the light, and let the world move at its own speed.
Only then can the calmness we let out from our bodies truly return.
Memorable Scene:
This
is a simple yet emotional scene: Taeko walks while dragging her big suitcase—a
physical burden and an emotional one that’s visibly heavy—to return to her old
lodging. When exhaustion and the urge to give up for a moment start
overwhelming her, Sakura appears with her tricycle. Taeko accepts the offer,
but she has to leave her suitcase behind. A small decision that feels huge.
In
life, there are moments when, to move forward, we have to be willing to leave
something we’ve always considered important. The suitcase becomes a symbol of
burdens, memories, or things we keep holding onto even though they weigh us
down. This scene gently shows that calmness sometimes only comes when we dare
to let go.
Memorable Dialogue:
“Even hard workers need rest, right?”
Ending:
Happy
Ending
Recommendation:
Worth
to Watch
(Aluna)
 – When Calmness Has to Be Learned){kind=link}
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