Original subtitles

Ikuo, come and help us.

Oh, let him play.

Where on earth is the landlord?

Dad'll be mad, let's go home! Let's go home.

I want to die at home,

so I'm going back to Shikoku.

You can't die yet!

Anyway, you can only get to Shikoku on the ferry, Grandma.

And you don't have any money.

Grandma wants to die at home. I'm going back to Shikoku.

Takeshi, time to come in!

Any luck?

They just said, "Not again."

No sign of her?

So far, no calls reporting missing grandmas.

At least she can't freeze to death.

We'll wait one more night.

I hope she's okay.

It's hardly the first time. It's no big deal.

But what if she never comes back?

Don't say that. It's not your fault, Yumiko.

Someone'll bring her back. They always do. Right?

Ikuo?

Ikuo...

- Hey... - Yeah?

I had that dream again.

I keep on having it.

I wonder why.

I'm not your grandma's reincarnation.

Go to sleep.

Keep dreaming, maybe she'll come back.

Maybe...

If only I could've stopped her from going that time...

MABOROSI

Hi. How far did you go?

The baseball stadium. Always better to steal from the rich.

You really stole this?

I said I would.

Maybe whoever stole yours had been robbed, too.

Yep, when robbed, rob back.

Don't let this little taste turn you into a real thief.

You nutter!

The bathhouse was so crowded.

I bought you some paint.

Did Yuichi cry?

Not a peep.

You sure? What were you up to?

Listening to the neighbour's radio.

It's so loud. Shall I ask him to turn it down?

Don't bother. The old man's hearing is gone.

We get to listen along.

- You haven't changed. - What?

- You haven't changed at all. - What's that mean?

You're the same as when you were a kid.

How the same?

I don't know, you're just the same.

What are you talking about?

He's enjoying himself.

What's on your mind?

Tired from your walk to the stadium? You're out of it.

What's that mean?

The trucking company that we use hired a sumo wrestler.

Really? A sumo wrestler?

An ex-sumo wrestler. He had to quit cos he was lousy.

Now he's learning to drive a truck.

He's a guy in his 30s. He still hasn't cut off his topknot.

And now he's taking orders from 18-year-olds.

I don't know why he keeps that topknot.

Who knows?

Something about that topknot kind of depresses me.

But, Ikuo... you don't have a topknot.

And your 30s are a long way off.

You've got a point.

Hey, a cop...

Just kidding!

It's Tanaka from the stadium.

Don't scare me.

I'm taking this.

Unusual to see you out together.

We must reek.

The minute you came in.

Let me guess... okonomiyaki?

We got the neighbour to look after Yuichi.

You've got seaweed on your lip.

Just kidding.

Don't let the baby cramp your love life.

- You absorbing this wisdom? - He knows.

- No, I had to drag him away from work. - You ambushed him?

I was watching him for a long time and he didn't even notice.

How could I know?

I would have.

Seems like you're getting along fine.

Hey...

ls my face weird?

What's this about? Did someone say so?

Of course not.

I was looking in the mirror in the café bathroom,

and my freckles started to bother me.

Looking at my freckles made me think that my whole face was weird.

So that's why you were in there so long.

Remember, a long time ago you said,

"Bet you've got a lot more freckles waiting to sprout."

I kept staring in the mirror, wondering if I'd get more freckles.

I really said that?

You did.

- Getting tired? - Swap places?

I'm happy right here.

You're back early.

The weather's so unpredictable.

- I got you some tangerines. - Really?

Thanks. Just a minute, okay?

- Was he a good boy? - Yes!

A really good boy.

Maybe he likes the hum of the sewing machine.

He's never like that with me.

He takes after his father.

- You really think so? - Especially around the eyes.

- He'll be a handsome one. - You think?

Yes, you will, right? Yuichi?

ONO TAILORING - GENTLEMEN'S CLOTHING.

What are you doing here?

I was just parking the bike. I was nearby.

- They're predicting rain. - Stick around, stranger.

Maybe next time. I'm just grabbing an umbrella.

- I'll walk you down. - You're a nutter!

But I want to.

Comb your hair, it's a mess.

Is your husband home?

- He's not back yet. - I see...

We found a man who'd been hit by a train.

It may be your husband.

We found a torn envelope stuck to his pants.

It was from the Yamaoka Dye Factory.

Your husband is the only one of their employees

who we haven't accounted for.

I've brought his wife.

Was this his?

My husband...

...where is he?

You'll never recognise him.

We haven't established definitively that it is your husband.

It happened in between stations on the Hanshin Line.

According to the engineer,

he was walking along the tracks, going the same way as the train.

There's a gentle curve there,

and by the time he noticed him, it was too late.

He never reacted to the whistle or the screeching brakes,

just kept right on going...

Yumiko?

Mrs Ono's worried about you.

She says you stare off into space, while the baby howls.

She's worried you might do something to yourself.

She keeps checking on you.

Leaving such a little baby...

Why did Ikuo have to die?

That's no answer. You sure there weren't any signs?

Usually, having a new baby makes a man eager to work.

But killing himself for no reason...

He's left you a riddle to solve.

But then, what's the point?

You're all set. Nice and clean!

Let's tuck you in while you're warm.

Thank you.

Pull yourself together.

Yuichi can't do anything for himself.

Right.

That radio's so loud. ls it always like that?

He's a lonely old man.

Ikuo always said it was his way of proving he was alive.

I'm going to come and live with you for a while.

Takeshi thought I should, too.

We can't expect Mrs Ono to look after you forever.

Besides... you've got your future to consider.

Why, Mrs Ono! Thank you so much for everything you've done for us.

He lives far away, but he's a solid, decent man.

I'll be praying things work out.

Well, thank you for introducing them both.

Noto's far away, so you won't see them often,

but Yuichi's ready for school now and he's such a good boy.

I'm sure he'll get along with his new father and sister.

Thank you so much.

Let's go, now.

Grandma, I got some sweets.

- Who gave you those? - The old man next door.

Wasn't that nice? Did you say thank you to him?

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

You take care now.

Bye, Yuichi.

Off you go.

Yuichi, bye-bye.

I'll go with you to Osaka station.

We're fine.

It'll only make the goodbyes that much harder.

The north-bound express to Kanazawa is due to arrive.

Calling all passengers for this service.

I'm so sorry. I had a problem at work.

I just panicked and really messed up. I'm sorry.

Thanks for coming.

He's really got guts sleeping through this.

He couldn't sit still on the train.

I'm really sorry, but I have to get right back to work.

Is that so?

I'll come home as soon as I can.

Take it easy today. You can meet our neighbours tomorrow.

You already said that. That's the third time.

I'm going to be your mother from now on.

Okay?

It's really loud, isn't it?

It might take you a while to get used to it.

- Morning. - Good morning.

- This is my wife, Yumiko. - It's nice to meet you.

She's a real beauty.

I'll introduce her properly later and we'll have a drink.

It's a tight community so we've got to make the rounds.

Otherwise, the old folks get uptight. It's easy to offend them.

The neighbours are near enough,

but my relatives are scattered around so it's a real chore.

When we do get together, it's such a sprawling clan...

That's no fun, either.

A real backwater, huh?

The sea's so powerful.

Too powerful.

It quietens down after the morning market.

My new wife.

I knew that.

I'm Yumiko. It's very nice to meet you.

At her age, Mrs Tomeno still takes her own boat out.

Why didn't you come and introduce her to me first?

I did. I did, but you were out.

You remember that filthy shack painted an awful colour?

Some excuse! You came too late. You missed me.

Well, we found you here.

Pure chance!

We stopped by work first.

He's so damned proud of that new wife...

...he's dragged her all the way out here!

I came all this way so you could meet her.

Show-off!

Give me a light.

No use falling for me now. I'm married with children.

You're so full of it!

On this special occasion,

I'd like to celebrate with a song.

Please clap along with me.

Ready?

It's getting warmer.

It certainly is.

There's so much land.

The ocean's even bigger.

Let's go and see what's on the other side.

I'll go first.

Don't, it's dangerous.

Whose boat is it?

Nobody's anymore.

Then I want it.

But where will you keep it?

In the wardrobe.

Guess which hand.

Wrong.

Thanks.

It's all sticky.

That's the last one.

What happened?

I found them wandering around, all worn out,

so I gave them a lift back.

You're so kind.

- Rhubarb! - You picked such a lot.

How many? Let's count.

When I'm in high school, I'm going to grow my hair.

You'll be even prettier then.

I think your dad's getting silly in the bath.

Ah, here it comes!

Salt. Have some salt.

- I don't want any. - No?

Salt?

Time for breakfast!

I'm Off!

Take care!

I'm shattered.

And I'd imagined relaxing on my day off.

I guess we should get an air conditioner.

I never thought it'd be so hot here in the summer.

You thought it'd be winter all year round?

I was shocked by the cold at first.

- I bet you had regrets. - Eh?

You thought you'd made a mistake, coming to this god-forsaken place, no?

You nutter.

When I first came back from Osaka, it was really tough.

I couldn't believe I'd been born and raised here.

I swore I'd never come back here when I left high school.

Enough of that. Move over.

No!

It's hot. And you're too heavy.

So when you're done, I feel heavy, huh?

The kids'll be back soon.

I'll keep an eye out from here. Don't worry.

Spare me.

No way.

- Spare me, please. - No.

Spare me!

I'm begging you!

Spare me...

It's been six months already.

Tamio wanted to come, too, but he's afraid to leave his father alone.

Of course he can't.

But I'm so happy you brought Tomoko with you.

Takeshi must be doing well, renting this big apartment.

He married a piano teacher,

She's got 30 students and makes more than he does.

A dependable wife!

But can you imagine children playing awful piano all day long?

You'd go out of your mind!

And that...?

That's family, it's different!

Things are going well?

Thanks to your excellent match-making.

Oh, don't exaggerate.

But I really was hoping it would work out.

Now and then, my husband asks how you're getting along.

How's Yuichi doing?

That's wonderful.

Hello.

What a surprise!

Thought I'd ever come back?

I'm here for my brother's wedding.

Mum's looking after the kids. I'm just having a wander.

What a surprise.

Have you been well?

That day...

What time was it, now?

He popped in for a cup of coffee and left.

What day?

The day... he died.

He stopped by after work, on his way home.

He seemed his usual self,

so I was shocked when I heard the next day.

He just sat there grinning at my usual jokes.

So he got this far home, then?

Said he'd forgotten his wallet, that he'd hurry home and get it.

I said, "No rush. Anytime."

He said, "Thanks, then. I'll owe you till tomorrow," and went out smiling.

Thinking about it, it seems like a dream.

What, you still haven't changed?

Hurry up and take a bath before the water cools.

Are you tired?

Yuichi and Tomoko went straight to sleep.

Was your mother well?

I really should go and see her again.

I'm going out for crabs. You want any?

Three?

You sure three will do?

What are you staring at?

What's wrong?

Close the window, will you? We'll get icicles in here.

Are you feeling homesick?

You're not yourself these days.

Do you want to go back to Osaka?

It's not that.

I just had a dream and it woke me up.

Guess what I noticed the other day?

What?

You've got spots here.

No way, I don't have spots there.

I'm serious. Didn't you know?

Never noticed them before.

They're not spots, they're freckles.

How are they different?

They just are.

Nonsense.

Did Mrs Tomeno take her boat out?

I'll check with the fishermen.

She'll be fine.

Tomeno's indestructible. She'll swim back if she has to.

Nobody knows the sea better than she does.

She never gets it wrong.

I swear she'll be back.

So you survived, did you?

She's back!

- We were all worried about you. - Oh, mind your own business!

The wife was on the verge of tears.

Here, as I promised.

Sorry I worried you.

- You made it back? - That's right.

What happened? We were worried sick.

Oh, I swam all the way back!

Yumiko?

Don't trouble yourself.

She's indestructible.

Can I go and look at the bicycles?

Sure, but don't go far.

Out shopping?

Your first husband's boy, eh?

How old was he...

...when his father died?

He was three months old.

Then he doesn't remember a thing.

Maybe that's for the best.

It probably is for the best.

What, you still up?

What are you doing up so late?

Waiting for you.

- Did you drive home? - What else? It's too far to walk.

You shouldn't drive so drunk.

Do you want some water?

Nah!

You should call me when you're going to be late.

I worry about you.

What's that?

What did you just hide?

I didn't hide anything.

It's just an old bicycle key.

I wanted to take off the bell.

You're a liar.

You once told me,

you had to come back here because of your father.

That's right.

Mrs Tomeno had a different story.

She said you came back from Osaka to marry your old sweetheart.

You were madly in love with her.

How could you marry me after losing someone that special?

How could you?

What the...?

You're a liar. A liar...

There, there... Let's talk about it tomorrow.

It's a scary conversation. Save it for tomorrow!

What's wrong?

Your silence scares me.

Do you hate it here?

What are you up to?

Baseball.

Baseball's no fun alone.

It's not so bad.

Where's your mum?

Dunno!

You came out here alone?

I just...

I just don't understand...

...why he killed himself.

Why he was walking along the tracks.

Once I start thinking about it, I can't stop.

Why do you think he did it?

He said that the sea calls you.

My dad used to go out to sea.

He says when he was out alone, he used to see a beautiful light.

It would be shimmering in the distance, calling to him.

I think it can happen to anyone.

What fine weather we're having.

Indeed, a wonderful season.

MAKIKO ESUMI

TADANOBU ASANO, GOHKI KASHIYAMA, NAOMI WATANABE

MUTSUKO SAKURA, REN OSUGI, KIKUKO HASHIMOTO

SHUICHI HARADA, TAKASHI INOUE

DIRECTED BY HIROKAZU KOREEDA