blood
**Seen at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
When we think character studies, we typically think of films laser focusing in on one character. Following that character through their life, experiencing what they experience, to an end that will feel very real and earned. We see growth. In a way, I think Bradley Rust Gray’s “blood” is a character study, but it’s also a free-flowing story of two people, impacted by the experience of a person whom we only see in flashback. The way he builds this film is not for everyone, but I appreciated what he was doing, and the ending goes a long way with that.
Chloe (Carla Juri) has come to Japan after a tragedy; her husband passed away recently, and she is here for respite, a second chance, and to spend time with an old friend. Chloe met Toshi (Takashi Ueno) through her husband, and she enjoys spending time with he and his daughter. She also finds work, and seems to connect with another widower. When her and Toshi’s connection seems to feel more than friendly, though, some difficult emotions need to be processed.
If one feels like they’re drifting away from “blood” while watching it, I would not blame them. While I normally do not mind slow-moving films, “blood” is practically glacial at times. Part of that might be because rather than traditional plot mechanics, Gray is telling a story much like a writer would, using broken narrative structure and subplots and scenes not involving the two characters together to help develop them. I really liked the approach, even if the film meanders through its story. I also feel like we get to know Chloe and Toshi completely; these are characters he wants us to empathize with fully, and the performances by Juri and Ueno make us feel that effectively. By the time the film reaches its touching ending, we’ve experienced every step of the way emotionally that takes these characters there, and even if it doesn’t seem like anything worthwhile in the moment, it may linger long with you.
