Watch The Happiness of the Katakuris

The Happiness of the Katakuris is one of the most bizarre and unique films to come out of Japan in the early 2000s. Directed by renowned Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, the movie combines elements of horror, comedy, musical, and drama into a surreal and entertaining experience. The story revolves around the Katakuri family, who operate a guesthouse in a remote mountainous area. The family members are all eccentric and dysfunctional in their own way – the grandfather is a war veteran obsessed with death, the father is a failed musician, the mother is a former geisha, the son is a cross-dresser, and the daughter-in-law is a former bar hostess. Despite their quirks, the family gets along well and is committed to making their guesthouse successful.

However, things take a turn for the worse when their guests start dying in unusual and gruesome ways. The family must try to cover up the deaths to avoid tarnishing their reputation, while also dealing with their own personal problems and dynamics.

The film's plot is not straightforward and takes unexpected turns. It is a mix of musical numbers, zombie horror, and family drama, making it a unique blend of genres. The musical scenes are surreal, and the songs are catchy and memorable. The horror elements are unsettling but also laced with dark humor.

The characters in the movie are quirky and over-the-top, but they are also relatable in their struggles to keep their family together and their business afloat. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Kenji Sawada and Keiko Matsuzaka standing out in particular as the patriarch and matriarch of the family.

The visual style of the movie is also impressive, with Miike using a variety of techniques to create a dreamlike and colorful world. The movie employs clay animation, stop-motion effects, and even a surreal sequence of dancing traffic cones. The visual style adds to the overall weirdness and unpredictability of the film.

The underlying themes of the movie include family, survival, and the search for happiness. The Katakuri family members may be odd, but they are united in their determination to succeed and protect each other. The movie also explores the idea of finding happiness in unexpected places, and how people can come together in a crisis.

Overall, The Happiness of the Katakuris is a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience. It is a wild, entertaining ride that defies traditional genre categorization. While not for everyone, those who appreciate unique and offbeat movies will find much to enjoy in this bizarre and charming film.

The Happiness of the Katakuris is a 2001 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 60.