The Japanese Wife

The Japanese Wife is a 2010 romantic drama film directed by Aparna Sen, based on the novel of the same name by Kunal Basu. The movie follows the unconventional love story of a Bengali man named Snehamoy (played by Rahul Bose) and his Japanese pen pal, Miyage (played by Chigusa Takaku), whom he has never met in person.

Snehamoy is a schoolteacher in a small village in West Bengal, India. He lives a lonely life with his aunt, who is blind, and spends his free time writing letters to Miyage, his pen pal from Japan. Miyage, who is also a schoolteacher, writes back to him and sends him little gifts like packets of wasabi and green tea.

As the years pass, Snehamoy and Miyage's relationship deepens, and they become each other's confidants, sharing their joys and sorrows through letters. Snehamoy even goes as far as calling Miyage his wife, despite never having met her in person.

Meanwhile, Snehamoy meets Sandhya (played by Raima Sen), a young widow, in his village. They start to spend time together and develop feelings for each other. However, their romance is complicated by the fact that Snehamoy is married to Miyage, although the marriage is only on paper.

As Snehamoy's relationship with Sandhya grows, Miyage falls ill with cancer. Sensing that Miyage's time is running out, Snehamoy decides to fulfill a promise he made to her in a letter years ago – that he would marry her if she ever came to India to see him.

Despite facing opposition from his community and family, Snehamoy marries Miyage in a ceremony conducted in absentia. A few years later, Miyage dies, leaving Snehamoy devastated.

The Japanese Wife is a poignant tale of love and loss, told through the letters exchanged by the main characters. The film explores themes of loneliness, longing, and the power of human connection, across cultures and languages. The performances by the cast are understated and nuanced, particularly that of Chigusa Takaku, who brings a quiet grace to Miyage's character.

The movie also showcases the beauty of rural Bengal and the quiet simplicity of life in a small village. The lush cinematography captures the changing seasons and the rhythms of daily life, adding to the film's understated elegance.

Overall, The Japanese Wife is a beautiful and heartfelt film that will leave viewers with a sense of longing and hope in equal measure.