Film & TV

DVD Review: The Sea of Trees

A recently widowed American travels to Japan’s “suicide forest” where he encounters another lost soul and, together, they must find their way out.

Twice this year Japan’s Aokighara Forest has crossed my path, first in the horror film The Forest and now this, a very different, spooky drama.

Often referred to as the Suicide Forest, Aokighara is a massive sea of trees located in the foothills of Japan’s Mount Fuji. As the nickname implies, people go there to die by choice and signs along the entranace way try to discourage visitors from making that final choice.

SeaOfTrees2015DVDGus Van Sant’s The Sea of Trees premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival 2015 and features Matthew McConaughey as recently widowed Arthur, an America who hears of the forest and decides to end his life there. Once off the path, Arthur encounters Takumi (Ken Watanabe), a dazed, injured man who has become lost. Together they attempt to find their way out, lost in sentimentality as much as direction.

With moments of unexpected life, The Sea of Trees otherwise lacks momentum, plodding along at a glacial pace with ample flashblacks to relieve the undying drudgery of these two lost souls. Mason Bates’ score is a highlight, unlike writer Chris Sparling’s inconsistent and baffling attempts to dabble in the supernatural and man-against-the-elements adventure occasionally.

The cast is fine, with two strong actors carrying the heavy burden of this film. It’s unlikely to appeal to anyone opposed to long silences and stilted, naturalistic conversation, but might find a home with arthouse lovers and fans of the two leading men.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet

Rating out of 10:  5

The Sea of Trees will be released on DVD and Digital from 7 September 2016.

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