Plot: A woman has escaped the city and moved to a small island. There she takes care of an older gentleman who is blind, deaf, and mute. He is completely reliant on her care, a feeling she enjoys. The island has many secrets though and the woman will gradually learn that not all is as it seems.
Watches
May 13, 2024
From out of nowhere, this old Aoyama resurfaced. I'm glad it did because while not one of my absolute favorite directors, Aoyama's films rarely disappoint and Crickets is no exception. It's not the easiest of films (so I'm not that surprised it remained under the radar for so long), but it's well worth a try if you like Japanese arthouse cinema.
The setup is pretty peculiar, but it isn't until the second half that the film shifts into full gear. The performances are strong, the presentation is pleasant and the finale is mysterious. If Aoyama had committed just a little earlier to the magical elements this might have been a personal favorite, but even in its current form, it's still a mighty fine film.