Shinji Somai's crying out for a re-release 1993 work “Ohikkoshi” is masterful in its simplicity. An oft-told tale of a pre-teen, Renko, struggling to come to terms with her parents' separation, Somai creates one of the most realistic and powerful coming-of-age dramas; and one of Japan's best films on the 90s.
Somai's development of Renko shows real empathy and brilliant character development, starting off with denial, developing into fear, rage and isolation. Depicting the breakdown of the family unit into individuals, the natural pacing throughout culminates in one of the best – and most heart-breaking – closing passages in modern cinema. In remembering her past, Renko sees her present state and what it means for her future in a powerful scene where young Tomoko Tabata shines, reminiscent of Mizoguchi's “Sansho the Bailiff”. But not content with the finale alone, Somai uses the end credits to address the change in Renko brought about by her parents' split. The Japanese word ‘hikkoshi' from which it takes its title means ‘to move residence,' and the whole experience has moved Renko on in her life. She is older and wiser, but is she better for it? Her closing stare tells an entire story.
