Oh Lucy may well have set a record for the number of suicides in a romantic comedy. Normally there would be...(whirr of calculator) um, yes, approximately none.
Here we start with a citizen's suicide in the underground, another one reported soon after, then climactically two failed attempts. One is by the beautiful young niece, the other by the mousey middle-aged heroine. And the son of the man who saves her killed himself too. Oy Lucy. Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn this ain't. The suicides punctuate a panorama of lives lived and wasted in quiet desperation.
The film's title and trailer carried not an inkling of the darkness in this "love story." A repressed Tokyo office worker discovers her wild side when she falls for her young American English teacher and follows him out to sunny California. From the moment she adopts her new American name of Lucy and dons the crazy Harpo blonde wig, love and hilarity ensue. Spoiler alert: Nope.
The clues come early. Our first view of "Lucy" is behind the white face-mask that connotes fear of infection, fear of contamination, fear of life. She witnesses the first subway suicide and hears about the second. She's uncomfortable and cramped in her office job, a room of exposed desks, where even her eventual humiliation plays out in public.
Her stunted emotional life dates back to her first love, whom her sister stole and married. Lucy's sex with Tom avenges that, though at her niece's emotional expense as well as Lucy's sister's.
It's hard to sympathize with Lucy. She's duped by her flighty niece into (over)paying for the English lessons. After tutor John departs, the dashed Lucy explodes at her colleague's retirement party, brutally and pointlessly exposing the sham sentiments of the occasion.
Our glimpses of Lucy's apartment are of a chaotic mess of random and lurid junk, an emblem of her own doomed dream life perhaps. Liberated from Japanese restraints, in America her sexual predation deepens her indecorum and delusion.
Indeed no-one here is wholly sympathetic. The dashing hugger John may come on as the fresh American spirit but he proves a jerk too. He abandoned his wife and daughter for the adventure in Japan, then abdicated his responsibilities to chase his latest fancy. If he indeed did quit a teaching job at Stanford, then he stands with Lucy, the niece, her mother, another example of people who make disastrous life choices.
A fringe character provides the only stability. English student "Tom" embraces John's compulsion to embrace but proves to live that emotional, human commitment. The goofy prosaic Japanese man proves the saviour Lucy craved to find in the dashing American.
After Tom saves Lucy the film closes on the note off their romantic promise. But it's in the underground, where the suicides happen. And it took his son's suicide to snap Tom into recognition of bis need for human intimacy. It may start with John's sham friendliness but in Tom it blossoms into a true connection.
22 Reviews
Mousey spinster leaves Japan for romantic delusion in America.
maurice_yacowar27 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Speechless
mellissamm9 July 2018
How does one reconcile reality and delusion when the illusion of love is at hand? A rather wound up and repressed Japanese woman takes a leap. An interesting twist in a woman's search for love. What crawled under my skin was how Japanese culture was portrayed...emotionally repressed, and the 'awkwardness' that ensues. I felt like I was in Japan again...
Although topically a comedy, the underlying theme is loss. The actors do a magnificent job.
Search Across an Ocean, and Further Within
Blue-Grotto6 October 2017
Tokyo train station, overcast skies and a shout of "good bye" as a man jumps on the tracks in front of a train. Setsuko witnesses the suicide on the way to the office and her dull routine. She is middle-aged, lonely and unhappy. Perhaps she could snap like this. When Setsuko receives an invitation from her niece Mika to attend advanced English lessons, the classes provide unexpected light and warmth in her life. John, the foreign teacher, loosens Setsuko up with hugs, humor, role-play and a new nickname; Lucy. However, just as suddenly as John releases Setsuko from her funk, he disappears. Setsuko goes in search of him across an ocean, and goes even farther within herself.
Combining humor with seriousness and sincerity, the film reveals the wonders of what travel can do. It takes us outside ourselves and reveals truths that would not have been revealed if we stayed in our bubbles. It shows us our strengths and weaknesses, the good and bad. The film also shows that the difference between Japan and America goes beyond language. The Japanese are generally not as outgoing as Americans. There is not much in the way of touching or hugs. The Japanese are good at wearing masks. People like Setsuko go unnoticed and suicide is a big problem. It is wonderful that the director is giving a voice to those like Setsuko. While the transitions between scenes are a little funky and the story could use development in places, it is a charming and interesting story. The actors are experienced and adept at their roles. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Combining humor with seriousness and sincerity, the film reveals the wonders of what travel can do. It takes us outside ourselves and reveals truths that would not have been revealed if we stayed in our bubbles. It shows us our strengths and weaknesses, the good and bad. The film also shows that the difference between Japan and America goes beyond language. The Japanese are generally not as outgoing as Americans. There is not much in the way of touching or hugs. The Japanese are good at wearing masks. People like Setsuko go unnoticed and suicide is a big problem. It is wonderful that the director is giving a voice to those like Setsuko. While the transitions between scenes are a little funky and the story could use development in places, it is a charming and interesting story. The actors are experienced and adept at their roles. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Delightful story about human experience
dubwize4 June 2018
Charming story about two sisters adventure going to America from Japan. The cultural differences and what drives them. The main character Setsuko is loveable as her alter ego Lucy who chases after life instead of being trodden on by it.
Not an action movie but a sweet tale definitely worth a look for it's raw view of life in all the shades of good and bad.
Not an action movie but a sweet tale definitely worth a look for it's raw view of life in all the shades of good and bad.
Movie matches reality
mikehbender24 March 2018
A heartwarming work of art
juliamaryj1 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It is compelling how filmmaker Atsuko succeeds in stitching the many lighthearted comic moments so seamlessly with the more pressing and raw emotions that Lucy (Setsuko) struggles with as the film unfolds. She hardly verbalizes her emotions yet you could almost feel her character tugging wildly at your heartstrings. Lucy's naivety and a certain aura of innocence is captured so profoundly in Shinobu Terajima's plausible performance. The stellar cast as a whole delivers a sincere and heartfelt performance, complimenting each others conflicting personalities so effortlessly despite the language barrier. It was intriguing to see how diverse cultural differences have the potential to influence and ignite our latent desires for better or for worse. In the case of Setsuko, her humdrum life as a singleton middle aged Japanese office worker, turns giddy high when she stumbles upon John (Josh Hartnett), an unconventional English teacher from the US in the most unexpected of circumstances. His quirky techniques of teaching English which incorporates the need for her to take on a more liberal persona as Lucy, propels Setsuko to dare to delve deeper into her being and scratch the core to unveil an audacious side of her which will excite and overwhelm her beyond what she could possibly fathom. A side that leaves you questioning who she really is. Hailing from a conservative society, her sudden sense of liberation is hard to ignore when the plot quickly escalates and you find Lucy shedding her inhibitions recklessly in the US. She throws caution to the wind in her dealings with John and unabashedly proclaims that she is in love with him. But somehow you cant help but wonder if she genuinely feels for John or perhaps she is just wildly in love with her newfound freedom and persona which is tagged to John, as he is ultimately the catalyst that set her off on this journey of self discovery. Peppered with unexpected events, messy family feuds and raw human connections, the film slowly unravels the tainted sides of the key characters which somewhat serves to showcase the imperfections and complexities of life. When Lucy finally comes to her senses and finds herself in a boulevard of broken dreams and unrequited love, her character reveals a more vulnerable side of her once again which was what first captured our hearts in the beginning. We are reminded she is essentially only human and still deserving of empathy, despite her onslaught of arbitrary decisions that led to her downfall.
A glimmer of hope comes in the form of Tom, an endearing saviour who leaves us feeling hopeful for Lucy and her shot at true love. Overall a film that succeeded in capturing an honest glimpse of human connections without romanticizing life, with a bold take on cultural differences sans being stereotypical or condescending that left me with a comforting reminder of hope when the odds are stacked against us.
A glimmer of hope comes in the form of Tom, an endearing saviour who leaves us feeling hopeful for Lucy and her shot at true love. Overall a film that succeeded in capturing an honest glimpse of human connections without romanticizing life, with a bold take on cultural differences sans being stereotypical or condescending that left me with a comforting reminder of hope when the odds are stacked against us.
It's soo not a comedy!
akimboteen7 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It's a really sad drama! I couldn't laugh on anything, it was a very realistic drama with some surrealistic symbols. The whole movie's mood reminded me of Kumiko the treasure hunter. Single japanese working woman, who is almost a hikikomori, very depressed and despised by others just because she's not following the "marriage and make children" pattern. She goes away to America, a totally different culture, but after several disappointing events she returns to Japan with no idea how to continue her life... It's very philosophical, there are a lot of unspoken questions from the viewer "What's the point to live?...Is it love, or is it something else?..."
Wonderful
ezgoinguy97196827 August 2018
OH LUCY! lends on its feet with a positive vibe after delving into the rock bottom of a self-seeking woman's despair
lasttimeisaw28 August 2019
Lauded Japanese-American female filmmaker Atsuko Hirayanagi's feature debut, OH LUCY!, derived from her own eponymous short, is a USA-Japan coproduction starring Shinobu Terajima as Setsuko, a Tokyo-dwelling, 40-something unwed, childless office lady (a kindred spirit of Kumiko in David Zellner's KUMIKO, THE TREASURE HUNTER, 2014), whose benumbed workaday existence is shunted into a new lane when she enrolls in an English class for beginners, welcomed by the open-handed warmth generated from the American teacher John (Hartnett, still handsome enough to conquer lonely-hearts), and christened with a new English name Lucy and sporting a blond wig, Setsuko instantly cottons to John, soon....
keep reading my review on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks!
keep reading my review on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks!
Not really a quirky comedy....so think twice about this one.
planktonrules24 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Oh Lucy!" seemed like a quirky comedy during the first half or so of the picture. The beginning, in particular, seemed very strange and quirky. However, this is NOT the mood of the entire picture and the cute leading character progressively becomes uglier as the story progresses.
When the story begins, Setsuko is conned into buying an English language course off her niece. The niece says she paid for it but it would be a big favor if the aunt paid her for the classes and took them herself. And, considering Setsuko is single and hasn't much of a life, she decides to at least try the classes. She is shocked at what the classes were. Instead of a nice classroom, the place looked like a sex club and the instructor, John, was more about teaching the students how to not only sound American but ACT American. His class included hugging (something VERY foreign to Japanese society), wearing wigs and acting casual...and Setsuko liked this as well as her new American name, Lucy.
Soon, however, Lucy learns it's been a set-up. Her niece only wanted the money to run off to America with John...and the new teacher is too normal and doesn't give hugs. So, she does what anyone would do in this situation...she insults her coworkers and gets a plane ticket to America. When her nasty sister finds out, she insists she comes along. What's next? Well it's NOT what I expected as the cute Lucy reveals herself to be a selfish, nasty piece of work. In fact, most everyone in the film seems this way-- at least all the main characters. All semblance to a comedy disappears and what you're left with is the story of a woman you find almost impossible to like.
This is a case where the first half and second half of the film don't watch up and the whole is unfortunately not especially satisfying as a result.
When the story begins, Setsuko is conned into buying an English language course off her niece. The niece says she paid for it but it would be a big favor if the aunt paid her for the classes and took them herself. And, considering Setsuko is single and hasn't much of a life, she decides to at least try the classes. She is shocked at what the classes were. Instead of a nice classroom, the place looked like a sex club and the instructor, John, was more about teaching the students how to not only sound American but ACT American. His class included hugging (something VERY foreign to Japanese society), wearing wigs and acting casual...and Setsuko liked this as well as her new American name, Lucy.
Soon, however, Lucy learns it's been a set-up. Her niece only wanted the money to run off to America with John...and the new teacher is too normal and doesn't give hugs. So, she does what anyone would do in this situation...she insults her coworkers and gets a plane ticket to America. When her nasty sister finds out, she insists she comes along. What's next? Well it's NOT what I expected as the cute Lucy reveals herself to be a selfish, nasty piece of work. In fact, most everyone in the film seems this way-- at least all the main characters. All semblance to a comedy disappears and what you're left with is the story of a woman you find almost impossible to like.
This is a case where the first half and second half of the film don't watch up and the whole is unfortunately not especially satisfying as a result.
Even Shakespeare would be proud of this dark humoured tragedy.
maripagliero6 June 2018
"Good bye".....and the life is gone.
In the case of Setsuko, in her mind it already had....and then John. Because she felt passed by, Johns teaching techniques created a sense of warmth to a lost soul and Setsuko's emotions flirted with love masqueraded by lust of a meaningful life.
The script and direction were exquisite as was the acting performances. None could be faulted.
The only reason I am not giving 10/10 is because there were a couple of goofs but I am a nerd so I am always hunting for faults.
This is a wonderful example of beautiful cinema. GO SEE IT!!
In the case of Setsuko, in her mind it already had....and then John. Because she felt passed by, Johns teaching techniques created a sense of warmth to a lost soul and Setsuko's emotions flirted with love masqueraded by lust of a meaningful life.
The script and direction were exquisite as was the acting performances. None could be faulted.
The only reason I am not giving 10/10 is because there were a couple of goofs but I am a nerd so I am always hunting for faults.
This is a wonderful example of beautiful cinema. GO SEE IT!!
Warmheartedly Funny
kevzin-4856921 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This film is not just a funny story about a middle-aged Japanese woman, falling in love with an American heartthrob then hopefully following him to the US, there's actually more true emotions to it. We could see how culture could be very different, the difference in generations, it gives us a light on why Japanese people are portrayed to be so emotional and how things affect them psychologically. The feeling of romance, empathy for loneliness, funny moments, a wee bit of hot unprecedented sex, anger and lots more thrown into there. A film worth more credit for the emotion it brings.
A beautiful depiction of melancholy
carlreisa15 September 2018
This is dark humor at its finest. If you like the works of Ruben Östlund (Force Majeure and the Square) or Yojiro Takita (Departures), you will absolutely fall in love with this movie.
This film is such an amazing mix between absolute nothingness, and horrible traumas... If you want to be emotionally shook up, this is the movie for you!
This film is such an amazing mix between absolute nothingness, and horrible traumas... If you want to be emotionally shook up, this is the movie for you!
Don't Fall For It: Dark, Upsetting, Not A Comedy
BelieveThis27 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Don't believe the reviews of this movie. This movie shocks and upsets the audience repeatedly. The main character is unlikable. Her actions are inexplicable. Several times she goes out of her way to try to destroy people for no particular reason. The rest of the time she seems withdrawn and empty.
The main character is a forty-ish woman in Tokyo who takes an English class where she has to don a crazy blond wig and adopt an American name. Josh Hartnett plays the English teacher. Not a bad premise, but it is surrounded by darkness.
FROM HERE ON THIS REVIEW IS FULL OF SPOILERS
In the beginning of the movie someone jumps to their death in a train station. The main character, "Lucy" lives in a hoarded up apartment, and seems largely empty when she is not destroying someone for no reason. She horribly insults a heavy, older co-worker at that woman's retirement party. The woman has worked for the company for forty years. Lucy tells her, apropos of nothing, that she is a fat loser and the other workers say she is delusional behind her back.
The English teacher is Lucy's niece's boyfriend. Apropos of very little, Lucy decides to follow him to California and try to steal him. It's hard to see what is driving this character, who seems empty, vacant, and devoid of humanity and feminity.
The one sex scene is devoid of sensuality. Lucy basically sexually assaults Josh Hartnett's character while he is stuck in a car seat. Then more happens. In keeping with the rules for movie sex scenes, this one is devoid of foreplay. This from an artsy female director.
Josh Hartnett's character and Lucy's niece have matching tattoos of the word "Love" on their forearms. Although he would like to forget their car encounter, after it Lucy goes out and gets a duplicate of this tattoo on HER forearm.
Lucy, her sister, and the English teacher catch up with the niece in San Diego where she fled to escape problems in her relationship that predated Lucy. Lucy and her niece find an unusually precarious sea cliff to sit and talk. It is here that Lucy chooses to reveal that she has slept with her young niece's boyfriend. The young woman jumps from the cliff and appears to have died.
Later you see she is alive but seriously messed up.
Back in Tokyo Lucy attempts suicide by taking pills from a blister pack after being fired from her job. Presumably she was fired for her abusive outburst against her older co-worker. She is saved by a fellow student from her English class who comes by her apartment. Miraculously he cures her overdose by shooting water into her mouth from a shower attachment, cause apparently that's how that works in Japan. Then she vomits. Then she tries to get it on with him, but he says, "You're not yourself right now." That's the end.
The main character is a forty-ish woman in Tokyo who takes an English class where she has to don a crazy blond wig and adopt an American name. Josh Hartnett plays the English teacher. Not a bad premise, but it is surrounded by darkness.
FROM HERE ON THIS REVIEW IS FULL OF SPOILERS
In the beginning of the movie someone jumps to their death in a train station. The main character, "Lucy" lives in a hoarded up apartment, and seems largely empty when she is not destroying someone for no reason. She horribly insults a heavy, older co-worker at that woman's retirement party. The woman has worked for the company for forty years. Lucy tells her, apropos of nothing, that she is a fat loser and the other workers say she is delusional behind her back.
The English teacher is Lucy's niece's boyfriend. Apropos of very little, Lucy decides to follow him to California and try to steal him. It's hard to see what is driving this character, who seems empty, vacant, and devoid of humanity and feminity.
The one sex scene is devoid of sensuality. Lucy basically sexually assaults Josh Hartnett's character while he is stuck in a car seat. Then more happens. In keeping with the rules for movie sex scenes, this one is devoid of foreplay. This from an artsy female director.
Josh Hartnett's character and Lucy's niece have matching tattoos of the word "Love" on their forearms. Although he would like to forget their car encounter, after it Lucy goes out and gets a duplicate of this tattoo on HER forearm.
Lucy, her sister, and the English teacher catch up with the niece in San Diego where she fled to escape problems in her relationship that predated Lucy. Lucy and her niece find an unusually precarious sea cliff to sit and talk. It is here that Lucy chooses to reveal that she has slept with her young niece's boyfriend. The young woman jumps from the cliff and appears to have died.
Later you see she is alive but seriously messed up.
Back in Tokyo Lucy attempts suicide by taking pills from a blister pack after being fired from her job. Presumably she was fired for her abusive outburst against her older co-worker. She is saved by a fellow student from her English class who comes by her apartment. Miraculously he cures her overdose by shooting water into her mouth from a shower attachment, cause apparently that's how that works in Japan. Then she vomits. Then she tries to get it on with him, but he says, "You're not yourself right now." That's the end.
A dark comedy worth seeing
benrubin-5492919 March 2018
Amazing work!
ryanhadi8 December 2018
oh lucy
cattharine25 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
"Oh Lucy!" is an impressive film that depicts the protagonist Lucy's struggles and growth on her journey to self-identity and happiness through nuanced emotional portrayals and excellent performances.
Set in Japan, the film tells the story of a middle-aged woman, Lucy, and her emotional journey in Japan. In her pursuit of happiness and fulfillment, Lucy experiences many internal struggles and confusions. By enrolling in an English course and adopting a new identity as "Lucy," she tries to escape her disappearing self. However, as her emotional connection with the course instructor, John, develops, Lucy begins to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance of her true self and gradually comes to terms with her past and reality.
The film delves deeply into themes of identity, loneliness, love, and sacrifice through its portrayal of Lucy's complex inner world. Lucy's emotional transformation and growth resonate deeply with the audience, offering profound insights and inspiration. Additionally, the Japanese backdrop and cultural elements add a unique charm and emotional depth to the story.
In terms of performances, Shinobu Terajima's outstanding acting leaves a lasting impression as she masterfully portrays the complex and contradictory character of Lucy. Furthermore, actors like Josh Hartnett and Kaho Minami deliver excellent performances, adding more layers and emotions to the film.
In conclusion, "Oh Lucy!" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking film that touches upon the depths of human emotions and desires through its nuanced portrayal of characters' inner worlds and excellent performances. It not only evokes emotions and inspiration but also prompts profound reflections on self-awareness and the meaning of life for the audience.
Set in Japan, the film tells the story of a middle-aged woman, Lucy, and her emotional journey in Japan. In her pursuit of happiness and fulfillment, Lucy experiences many internal struggles and confusions. By enrolling in an English course and adopting a new identity as "Lucy," she tries to escape her disappearing self. However, as her emotional connection with the course instructor, John, develops, Lucy begins to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance of her true self and gradually comes to terms with her past and reality.
The film delves deeply into themes of identity, loneliness, love, and sacrifice through its portrayal of Lucy's complex inner world. Lucy's emotional transformation and growth resonate deeply with the audience, offering profound insights and inspiration. Additionally, the Japanese backdrop and cultural elements add a unique charm and emotional depth to the story.
In terms of performances, Shinobu Terajima's outstanding acting leaves a lasting impression as she masterfully portrays the complex and contradictory character of Lucy. Furthermore, actors like Josh Hartnett and Kaho Minami deliver excellent performances, adding more layers and emotions to the film.
In conclusion, "Oh Lucy!" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking film that touches upon the depths of human emotions and desires through its nuanced portrayal of characters' inner worlds and excellent performances. It not only evokes emotions and inspiration but also prompts profound reflections on self-awareness and the meaning of life for the audience.
Half and half
marcusday-779933 November 2020
Bits of this were very funny, but overall I felt a lack of balance in the narrative. As though the filmmakers weren't really sure what they were trying to make. A comedy? A drama? An absurdist tale? There are very good scenes, strong pieces of performance and directing but it feels a little too flimsy for my taste. Not a bad film, but not a great film either.
I got THRu it
Carlie646 December 2018
Not Well Thought Out
westsideschl22 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Negatives:
1. An English instructor w/no understanding of Japanese is teaching only in English - sure. The phonetics, grammatical rules, sentence structure, alphabet, inflections, and so on are way different. And, Japanese student picks up meaning and repeats in English immediately.
2. Throughout the movie the non-English speaking Japanese spontaneously understands & create English sentences. Super quick learner!
3. Japanese peoples generally portrayed as selfish, self-centered.
4. Girl jumps off 100' cliff onto ocean rocks & is face down in water for many hours. Yet, she still is alive w/only bruises. Must be very hard to die in Japan!
5. Older American portrayed as cheating & trying to pervert young Japanese female. Stereotype now created.
Postive:
1. They did get the avoidance of contact & aggressive displays correct.
Not Terrible but Not Great
whackpaddy5 September 2018
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
