#MovieLog: Memories of a Dead End, The Story About Healing and Acceptance

Memories of a Dead End (2019)
Director: Choi Hyun Young
Writer: Choi Hyun Young (screenplay), Banana Yoshimoto (novel)
Casts: Choi Soo Young, Tanaka Shunsuke

Yumi and Nishiyama in the End Point Cafe (Source: catchplay.com)

Memories of a Dead End is a lighthearted movie based on a Japanese short story written by Banana Yoshimoto. This movie is about a Korean girl called Yumi (Choi Soo Young) who travels to Nagoya, Japan to meet her fiance, but she finds out that he has already been married to another woman. She’s broken-hearted and lost all of her hopes. Later, this journey takes her to encounter Nishiyama (Tanaka Shunsuke), the owner of a guest house named End Point.

Located in a small alley, the guest house cafe appears to have plenty of regular customers, from a young girl who loves onigiri and an old man who enjoys telling stories. With the help of Nishiyama, she begins to open up herself and enjoys her time with others. Yumi finds ease and comfort in the guest house and its surroundings. There, she learns to overcome her sadness and move on.

Customers of End Point Cafe (Source: catchplay.com)

It is such a beautiful yet simple movie. The scenery is breathaking and calming. However, I think the casts' performance falls flat and the plot is quite cliché. I’m not really impressed by Choi Soo Young’s acting as a heart-broken girl. On the other hand, Tanaka Shunsuke did a good job portraying a warm and welcoming guest house owner.

With sentimental cinematography and shooting ambient, this movie delivers the story about a girl who find herself at the dead end. Story about forgiveness and healing. Overall, it's a feel-good movie you will love watching on a chilly night while drinking warm coffee.

Favorite quote: “Most people don’t even try to see the treasure that lies inside the people they know” - Nishiyama

Rate
Story: 6/10
Cast: 6/10
Cinematography: 7.5/10
Ost:4/10
Overall: 6/10