Megane (2007)

Directed by: Naoko Ogigami | 106 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Satomi Kobayashi, Mikako Ichikawa, Ryo Kase, Ken Mitsuishi, Masako Motai, Hiroko Yakushimaru

In the Japanese film ‘Megane’ we travel with a female professor to a sun-drenched tropical island. There we end up in a remote hotel and meet the owner, a young teacher and an older woman who sells shaved ice. We learn that the main activity of this trio is ‘twilight’ and we learn a lot, a lot about practical Buddhism.

We mainly find this Buddhism in the ‘twilight’ of the main characters. Twilight is like meditation: stopping disturbing thoughts in order to be absorbed in the here and now. In ‘Megane’, the urban professor gradually learns how to let go of her daily worries and lose herself in the many immediate charms of the island: the sound of the wind in the trees, the view of the ocean, the flavors, colors and smells of the traditionally prepared food.

In ‘Megane’ form and content go together perfectly. The film is a succession of silent tableaux, so that the viewer is forced to lose himself in images and sounds and to salivate at the sight of all those heavenly dishes. The immobility of the tableaus is initially only interrupted by the professor who trots back and forth, but once he has calmed down, there is nothing left for the viewer but to shimmer with the characters in a world of stillness. And to discover that that is not a punishment.

Less successful is the literal portrayal of Buddhist principles. Baggage to be left, the right way to be found, belongings to be shared. Although there is little dialogue, there is a lot of wisdom that you can put on a Japanese tile. And then there’s the eternal smile of Sakura-san, the spa’s buddha, which eventually gets on your nerves.

Fortunately, ‘Megane’ never becomes obtrusive and the film can still be enjoyed without the spiritual charge, with nice characters, some humor and a wonderfully low tempo. But ‘Megane’ is above all a feast for the senses. Afterwards, as a viewer, you want nothing more than to book a trip to that tropical island and enjoy the sun, sea, lobster, shaved ice and mandolin music. Although it is questionable whether you as a westerner will find your way to that small hotel.