Is Arigatou Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2006)

📖 The Core Premise

Arigatou stands as a 2006 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Drama, Family landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In the early morning of January 17, 1995, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck, and Tadao Furuichi (Hidekazu Akai), who was running a camera store in Kobe City, lost his friends, his house, and his property. Tadao is busy volunteering for the reconstruction of the town, and one day he comes across his own golf bag that survived the earthquake. Feeling a miracle, Tadao decides to challenge the professional golf test before he turns 60."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Arigatou, even the presence of Hidekazu Akai struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Arigatou worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Family films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Arigatou misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 125 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.