Watch Our Little Sister

Our Little Sister is a poignant and heartfelt Japanese drama from acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreeda. The film explores the lives of three sisters who live together in their grandmother's old house, and their relationship with a younger half-sister they meet after their estranged father passes away. The eldest sister, Sachi (Haruka Ayase), is a nurse who has taken on the role of the family's caretaker. She is highly responsible yet struggles with her own personal and romantic relationships. Yoshino (Masami Nagasawa) is the middle sister who works as a bank employee and is somewhat flighty and impulsive. The youngest sister, Chika (Kaho), works in a sporting goods store and is the most carefree and easygoing of the three.

One day, the sisters get word that their father, who had abandoned them when they were young, has died. They reluctantly attend his funeral, where they meet their half-sister Suzu (Suzu Hirose). Suzu is a young teenager who has been living with her father's family but is now alone and unsure of what to do next. The sisters offer to take her in and let her live with them in their grandmother's house.

As Suzu becomes a part of the sisters' lives, she opens up new opportunities for the family to grow and bond. They take trips together, cook meals, and share their joys and struggles. The sisters become not only Suzu's guardians but her closest friends as well. The film explores the complex relationships between family members and how the bonds that tie us together can both lift us up and hold us back.

The film is based on the manga series Umimachi Diary by Akimi Yoshida. Director Koreeda creates a beautiful, understated portrait of family life that is both poignant and thought-provoking. The performances are all excellent, led by Ayase's powerful portrayal of Sachi, who struggles to balance her own desires and the responsibilities she has taken on for her family. Nagasawa and Kaho shine as well, bringing a nuanced depth to their characters.

The film's setting in the seaside town of Kamakura, with its lush scenery and quiet pace of life, adds to the film's overall sense of serenity and reflection. The cinematography, by Mikiya Takimoto, is stunning, capturing both the beauty of the natural surroundings and the complex emotions of the characters.

Overall, Our Little Sister is a touching and profound film that explores the complexities of family relationships and the power of love and connection. It is a beautiful and uplifting ode to the power of family and the importance of coming together in times of both joy and sorrow.

Our Little Sister is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 75.