Christmas Review: Tokyo Godfathers

Well the entire Dina debacle has died down for the most part over at the Mighty No. 9 forums. Mainly because it has been replaced with the 2nd Call Vote, which as sparked a massive war between those who vote for Call E and those who vote for Call F (Because apparently no one bothers to remember that there is also Call H in the running). I voted for Call F because she looks the most capable of being a fighter and she compliments Beck's design the best, despite the countless accusations that she is just a Roll clone, which I kind of understand  why people say that, but on the hand she isn't really that similar to Roll if you really dissect their designs. Anyway, Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate it then by reviewing that anime Christmas Classic Perfect Blue.... What? I'm reviewing Tokyo Godfathers? Well it's done by the same director.

Three homeless people and a baby, sounds like a bad sitcom.

 It's Christmas Eve and a group of a trio of homeless people, Gin, Hana, and Miyuki, are living their lives in the heart of Tokyo. However, while digging through the trash trying to find something of use, the three find an abandoned baby. After some deliberation, the three eventually set out to find the baby's parents and discover the reason for her abandonment. Over the course of their adventure, the three come face to face with Yakuza, Spanish speaking foreigners, a transvestite bar, and the reason for each of their current homeless state. Serendipity expounds as the random events that these three take part in brings shattered families together in a way that only a drunker, a runaway, and a transvestite can manage.

We've secretly replaced one of these characters with a 1930's cartoon.

The movie is a charming little piece. Throughout the movie we learn, bit by bit, why each of our protagonists are homeless. Ultimately, each of their circumstances is largely self inflected, blaming themselves for something that they are each forgiven for and only need to realize it themselves. This is doubly apparent the moment each of them crosses paths with people of their respective pasts. However, don't think that this is a purely introspective piece about forgiveness, it's largely a comedy. The trio play wonderfully off of each other and become this weird version of a family of homeless people, and the constant colorful characters that pop in over the course of the movie creates situations that makes sense in context, but if you had jumped in in the middle would seem like a bizarre series of events.

We've secretly replaced one of these characters with a 1950s cartoon.

The movie is really just amazing. I know I'm not saying much about it in this review, but half of what's going on is comedic which works better if you are watching it yourself, and the other half feels like it would be spoilers to describe what is happening. It's a comedy with a lot of heart, and a heavy emphasis on family and that being forgiven really starts with forgiving yourself. I can't really say much more about it than that, and I can't really think of anything bad to say about it. Which of course means by verdict is:

This is a charming movie from beginning to end and really encapsulates what makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie. It has a lot of comedy and several scenes that are just uproariously hilarious, but more importantly it has a lot of heart to it. It's that feel good spirit that even the people who believe they have nothing still have a home and family to go to if only they look for it. Tokyo Godfathers is a Must Watch, and a movie to play on Christmas along side whatever version of the Christmas Carol you prefer. (For me and my family that is The Muppet's Christmas Carol).

Until next time.

-Crescent, Merry Christmas from Crescent Reviews!