Cherry Blossoms

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Cherry Blossoms

2009,

2h 7m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

79%

58 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Learning that her husband, Rudi (Elmar Wepper), has a terminal illness, Trudi (Hannelore Elsner) hides the knowledge from him and persuades him to visit their son in Japan. During the course of their journey, she dies in her sleep — before telling Rudi of his impending death. Grief-stricken, he continues on toward Japan, finally finding peace at Mount Fuji.

Critics Consensus

This mature and eloquent meditation on grief and loss sports measured performances and moments of humor.

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Joshua Katzman

Chicago Reader

Jul 30, 2015

This may lack the understated pathos of Ozu's somber masterpiece, but it's still a moving meditation on aging and loss, and Wepper and Elsner are unforgettable.

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Edward Porter

The Times (UK)

Apr 9, 2009

2/5

The example set by Ozu's best works goes unheeded as the film becomes too cutesy and forced to be moving.

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James Christopher

The Times (UK)

Apr 3, 2009

4/5

Ozu's handling of the frosty schism between awkward parents and their ghastly offspring resulted in a heartbreaking piece of cinema. This lovely update is not quite in the same tragi-comic league, but it's authentic enough to prick tears.

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Nikki Baughan

Roll Credits

Oct 31, 2019

4/5

Indeed, the film may be a thoughtful meditation on the fragility of life, but it's also a celebration on the powerful, enduring strength of love.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Oct 3, 2019

2.5/5

While the film's emotional poignancy is undeniable, its derivative nature gets in the way of becoming a complete work of its own.

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Derek Smith

Tiny Mix Tapes

Oct 11, 2015

2.5/5

I am in favor of films remaining enigmatic or having an air of mystery about them, but Cherry Blossoms crosses the line into aimlessness.

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Finn L

Feb 20, 2018

It's a quiet, very beautiful film about the duality of love and death. I love this movie.

Jan 15, 2018

Excellent; it is great from beginning to end. Loved it!

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Doris Dörrie

Director

Elmar Wepper

Rudi Angermeier

Hannelore Elsner

Trudi Angermeier

Aya Irizuki

Yu

Maximilian Brückner

Karl Angermeier

Nadja Uhl

Franzi

Tokyo!

75%

72%

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Synopsis

Learning that her husband, Rudi (Elmar Wepper), has a terminal illness, Trudi (Hannelore Elsner) hides the knowledge from him and persuades him to visit their son in Japan. During the course of their journey, she dies in her sleep — before telling Rudi of his impending death. Grief-stricken, he continues on toward Japan, finally finding peace at Mount Fuji.

Director: Doris Dörrie
Producer: Harald Kügler, Molly von Fürstenberg
Screenwriter: Doris Dörrie
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Olga-Film GmbH
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $104.5K
Runtime: 2h 7m

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