1,778 Stories of Me and My Wife (Mamoru, 2011): Japan

Reviewed by Linda Sweatt. Viewed at the Lobero Theatre at the Santa Barbara International film festival.

1778 Stories of Me and My Wife is a delightful Japanese movie integrating science fiction, romance, fantasy and comedy. As the main character Saku, played by Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, is an author experimenting with his writing styles this film rotates genres to a certain rhythm, always centered around the drama of his wife’s illness. Based on a true story of a famous writer, Taku Mayumura and his devotion to his wife Setsuk, played by Yuko Takeuchi. Devastated by the death sentence of cancer, Saku finds hope and inspiration in the doctors comment that laughter is good for the immune system. He sets out to heal his wife with admirable determination; he cooks, he cleans and he writes a funny short story everyday for her. At first this does not come easy, after all he is a science fiction writer, but her works on the jokes and the comedy gets better and better until she is laughing more and more often.

I loved the introduction of the film. Sakuis quietly writing in the park on a nice summer day when he looks up in the sky to see flying saucers flying by, then the hover above letting out some sort of aliens that kind of look like buildings who then march walk down the street and line up next to each other to turn into  big city buildings. It’s very interesting the way the different stories are woven into their day to day life. My personal favorite funny story is when their is a knock at the door they answer to find a bill collector who suddenly shape shifts into a huge pink octopus. The imagination of the stories and thus the film are amazing.

The writings themselves are pieces of art as the camera zooms in on the sacred Japanese calligraphy, each stroke so intentional and elegant. The science fiction stories are separated with bold color exploring  outer space with robots. In fact the husband/author is quite the unique obsessive personality with his writing studio full of an extensive classic robot collection. Deeply philosophical as well, he takes to heart the theory we are what we believe and we manifest our own reality. The doctor gives her one year but she lives four or five more, always becoming weaker. But in this time they travel through space in his stories, they have adventures on other planets and they laugh allot. A very touching love story, they live in their own little creative bubble even though they must spend more and more time in the hospital.

Their love is strong, she always encouraged his writing and was  the first one to read them.  In the end he admits his writings are his way to cope with his wife dying and she just puts up with it, but obviously she enjoys them and they bring them both much comfort as well as laughter.

Even with death Americans are impatient. While leaving the theatre I overheard some disgruntled audience members complaining about the slowness and length of this film, while I for one savored the tender beauty and unique creative imagination expressed. If you get the opportunity to see this sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!