Popular reviews

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  Review by Alex ★★★★½ 13

  Sometimes you don't need violence, or sex, or any forced plot point at all, to produce conflict and drama in a story. Hirokazu Koreeda is proof that the everyday going-ons in the lives of regular people are more than enough fuel to create an enjoyable and eminently watchable film with more than enough happening to keep the viewer interested.

  That being said, his work isn't for everyone. The pacing here is languid, even for him, and there is even less drama here than in his previous films. But he is able to create characters so rich, diverse and real, that simply watching them talk to each other or walk along the beach or go shopping, is enough. The four sisters…

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  Review by Cinematic Underdogs ★★★★★ 3

  This film feels like live-action Studio Ghibli—stripped of the more fantastical elements, but just as animated with heart.

  Exquisitely small, refreshingly wistful, earnestly affectionate, and ever so wholesome.

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  Review by davidehrlich ★★★½

  Kore-eda's gentlest (and prettiest) film is a long & lovely tale of family, transience, and whitefish spread on toast.

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  Review by Hungkat ★★★★ 7

  Take a dip in Kore-eda’s touch of tenderness, covered in pale pink petals and breathe in the sisterly love. I’m not crying because I’m sad, it’s because of the puff of air that blew into my eyes. The breezes of gentleness, smooth like butter and sweet like honey, carry me home and let me curl up into a soft ball. They remind me how generous life can be, even when the road gets rough. Every meal shared is a joy, every glance is a touch; how every-day contains a bittersweet revelation as tears are evenly meshed with laughter. The intricate fabric texture of the familial world is a pleasure to hold onto. Our Little Sister’s kindness is a glimmer bright in the distance, as the cherry blossom trees are blooming. You just have to close your eyes and enter the tunnel of embrace.

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  Review by matt lynch ★★★★

  These quiet Kore-eda domestic dramas are irresistible to me.

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  Review by ˗ˏˋ Liam ˊˎ˗ ★★★★★

  this is very telling of what i like about cinema

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  Review by oppie ★★★★

  i'm about to join somebody's family GIRLS SCOOT OVER I LOVE YALL

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  Review by Chris 🦑 ★★★★★

  i feel so WARM... my heart is so FULL... ive been smiling for the past 15 minutes and im still smiling now!!!!!!! but i was so sad when the credits started rolling i could have watched these sisters for so much longer

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  Review by Christina ★★★★ 6

  blissful petite hands brewing plum wine together under cherry blossom trees, forever bound by the eternal love of sisterhood. domestic kamakura introspectively traversed through girlish and serene reveries, navigating life’s seasons serenaded with the profound warmth of family. kore-eda’s our little sister nurtures optimism entrenched in the faults of those who were tasked with looking after us. the precious breath of forgiveness and persistence—photogenic and ravishing. a nice sappy slice of comfort cinema; not too deep, not too slow. just an overall feel-good flick. the scene where the sisters are playing around in their kimonos with sparklers made my lil heart go pitter patter. 

  “is it right for me to be here? i always thought someone’s hurting just because i exist.”

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  Review by MK ★★★★ 1

  This is an embodiment of what a Hirokazu Koreeda san movie feels like, 10 min into the movie and you are already in love with the characters and hope nothing bad happens to them throughout the movie. Its one of those moments wre you wish to have a company like them and just be there with them forever... Highly recommended!

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  Review by iana ★★★½ 5

  ohhhh how wonderful

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  Review by Darren Carver-Balsiger ★★★★ 3

  Our Little Sister has a striking naturalism and quiet. It is a film of gentle humour and very likeable women. The film centres on women looking out for each other in a world of strained family relationships. Through the central women's dating lives and attempts to raise their little sister, they try not to repeat the mistakes of the family who have wronged them. Director Hirokazu Kore-eda shows himself as a modern day Ozu, making this a film of pillow shots and key moments kept offscreen. Similar to Ozu, it shows that life is complicated even when presented simply. Our Little Sister is a sweet and delightful film, a bundle of joy. It may tackle some serious themes, but this is arthouse cinema at its lightest and most lovable.

  2016 Ranked