Ryusuke Hamaguchi's film 'All of a Sudden' is a profound exploration of life, death, and the failures of capitalism, as seen through the eyes of its characters. The movie, with its three-plus-hour runtime, delves into the intricate relationship between Mari, a playwright dying of cancer, and Marie-Lou, the director of a nearby nursing home in Paris. The film's strength lies in its ability to weave together big ideas with an intimate, character-driven story, making it a rich and emotionally vast tapestry of human connection.
The screenplay, co-written by Léa Le Dimna and Hamaguchi, features a monologue by Mari that is both long and complex, drawing whiteboard graphics to illustrate her points about the systemic failures of modern capitalism. This intellectual portion of the film is a highlight for Tao Okamoto, who plays Mari. She appreciates how it connects the dots and verbalizes the system of capitalism in a way she's never seen before.
Hamaguchi's approach to filmmaking is notable, as seen in his previous works like 'Drive My Car', which won the 2022 Oscar for Best International Feature. His films are known for their epic scope and deep exploration of human experiences. In 'All of a Sudden', he turns his attention to caretaking and the natural world's plight under modern industry.
The film's cast, including Okamoto and Virginie Efira, is a testament to Hamaguchi's interest in their past collaborations with noted directors. Okamoto, who had a successful modeling career before moving back to Japan to focus on auteur-driven cinema, brought a unique perspective to her role. Efira, a César Award winner, was also eager to surrender to the material, feeling a profound kinship with her character's story.
The film's production process was demanding, with lengthy conversation scenes that required two days to complete. Hamaguchi's methodical approach, which included breaking down scenes into smaller sections and rehearsing them, challenged the actors but also resulted in finely tuned and vulnerable performances.
'All of a Sudden' is a remarkably open-hearted work, confronting seemingly intractable systems with a simple belief in people. Hamaguchi's conviction from beginning to end is evident, and the film's impact on the actors is profound. Okamoto and Efira's friendship developed during the shoot mirrored the dynamic between their characters, and both felt the film changed their lives.
The film's significant runtime of over three hours may deter some, but Efira argues that it's best to see a good film that's three hours long rather than a bad film that's an hour and 20 minutes. Hamaguchi's attention to detail and his approach to storytelling, which doesn't dictate the audience's thoughts, is a refreshing change in today's fast-paced society.
'All of a Sudden' premieres at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, and it promises to be a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful experience, leaving a lasting impression on its audience.
