Kiseki no Hito (2016)

Overall a sweet drama, and definitely enriching watch. The story is about a man who is looking to become useful for someone, when he meets Hana, who's daughter Umi is blind and deaf, leading her to becoming mute as well. Yes like Helen Keller. He starts working at night and looking after her during the day, in shift switch with Hana. As he spends more time with Umi he insists on teaching her new things about the world despite the hardship. He gets help from his flatmates and landlord. As he gets closer to mother and daughter, the estranged father shows up to cause Ittaku additional hardship.

The Story can sound pretty inspiring, and it sure is many ways. My only issue here, which cause a big plot-hole in the story, is that Japan is a first world country. Surely when a case such as Umi occured you'd have a professional help you out, at least inform you of the different ways to communicate with Umi. Many of the things Ittaku attempts to teach Umi should've been attempted first by Hana. It didn't seem like Hana ever thought of Umi as an actual human being. The senses which usually help kids absorb knowledge have been cut out from her, but it's not like she has brain Damage. In that sense she's just a normal girl with a thirst to understand this dark world she lives him.

Other than that though, everything else is perfect. The way the story progresses, the growth in both Hana and Ittaku, and especially the exploration of Hana's ex. In Hindsight he sure is a jerk, and a loser. However it's as if he's running away from this truth and will only be at peace if he accepts it. Two of the other tenants started off pretty annoying. It's funny how each would call on the other's annoying part, but it didn't help there case, that is until they change. Their character is like the reverse characters of a typical high school romcom story.

What made the story great is the obachans. Ittaku's who pushed him to have a meaning in his life, Umi's with her tendered heart, but mostly the landlord. She was too convenient, yes, but she's too lovely for me to be bothered about that point. She calls out on any bullshit, with a devious yet sweet smile, that you can't help but accept her comment and smile back. The Ojisan tenant was a nice highlight. Oh and Ittaku's best friend Baba is great!

Most and foremost amazing character is Umi, and the way she was portrayed was just perfect. She made me appreciate the small yet amazing things in life, like the breezy wind, the touch of sand, dipping the feet in the sea. The way she eats, though messy, is too adorable. It expresses her joy of eating something delicious. When she manages to learn something the pride in herself is priceless.

Acting is good overall. Other than Sumida Moeno who's the most impressive, I enjoyed the acting of Aso Kumiko who has yet to disappoint me. First time seeing Mineta Kazunobu but he was pretty convincing here. Yamauchi Takaya is the type that no matter what he does you can't really hate him. The rest of the cast suit their characters to say the least.

Anyways sweet short watch about simple people in a complicated situation trying their best to do well in life. Worth your time to check out.

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A sweet Drama but ultimately too flawed.

To a large extent this drama is carried by Sumida Moeno playing the blind, deaf and mute girl Umi which she does with some aplomb. She manages to keep your sympathy and emotions on a tight rein. Watching her growth is thought provoking and heart warming.

There are some great moments and some laughs to be had but unfortunately the rest of the cast and story can't keep up with her. The occupants of the boarding house are too clichéd to really resonate and the main leads never quite pull you all the way in. The Rock Idiot is a little too stupid and Hana a little too unlikeable. A large part of the problem is the way the story is told, dwelling on uninteresting side character vignettes to illustrate the morals of the main story rather than letting the main characters and the story carry themselves. The narration works only haphazardly as well.

It's worth a try to see if the sweet outweighs the sour for yourselves.



Spoiler****Spoiler***

My real problem with this and why I couldn't bring myself to finish it was the whole fighting the ex recurring story arc. Without this I could have finished it and mostly enjoyed it, though perhaps mourning a lack of bite.

Watching the Rock Idiot get a pounding yet again this last? time with the rest of the cast as witnesses just left me cold. Even the longed for reward from Umi wasn't enough to make me continue. Whatever the writers thought they were evoking by that pointless bloody scene the result in myself was disappointment and bathos.

A shame - I will never watch it again.

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