


Other characters include Koji a man who was at the same orphanage as Josee and of whom he ran away with as a child. He is a very obnoxious and rude character, and when he is visited by Josee he constantly threatens to kick her ass and to shut up, not because of any genuine hatred for her but more along the lines of a sibling disharmony, and the fact that he is still an immature vandal. There is also Tsuneo’s younger brother who plays a kind but cool guitar shop employee, making sure his older brother is well fed whilst dating girls who aren’t afraid to parade their right to be nude in front of others. One last noteworthy character would be ‘the pervert’ who is Josee’s next door neighbour. He is a desperate man who will take out your rubbish if you let him feel your boobies.
Josee is obviously a fighter and has had to be because of her condition and this has left her with a lack of social skills made up for through her strong character and resolve. She is not the kind of girl who relies on others, except for the necessary things, and has a quiet dignity that initially shields her from Tsuneo’s affable attempts at small talk. However once he breaks through that shield leaving Josee in a fit of tears and pleading for his eternal companionship, the real Josee is let out of the box and we see a beautiful, happy but inexperienced person introduced to the world and all the things she has been missing out on. Trips out with T

Tsuneo is genuine and passionate throughout, becoming more and more hypnotised by Josee’s discreet charm and allure which motivates him to do all he can for her (whether it be to get her a book she has desired for a long time or show her the world); not out of pity but out of a true desire he has to spend every moment he has with her.
Josee, The Tiger and The Fish is a film I heartily recommend you see, and if you search the Internet you’ll find I am not in the minority in saying this. There is nothing negative to say about it as it manages to dance the line dividing a meaningful drama from silly humour. Seeing Josee become more able to feel comfortable with her need to love someone is gratifying; as just as alluring it is to see her brood, it is even more appealing to see her smile and giggle in the throes of a love she never thought she would experience. As with most J-films the pacing is slow and steady, aided by the naturalistic choice of symbolism, the occupations (both literally and figuratively) and the basic plot driven narrative.
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