The Days movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Days

This dramatic story based on true events is now available on Netflix.

RATING: TV-14

LENGTH: Eight 50-minute episodes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

This 8-episode mini-series illustrates the trauma and heartbreak of the Fukushima disaster on March 8, 2011.

I’ve been to Japan and was so impressed with the lovely people and beautiful country. Everyone was so polite and helpful as we traveled from city to city. We got to experience the ancient sites, as well as enjoy the modern culture. I’ll never forget what I saw while sitting on the airplane as we prepared to fly home after an amazing experience there. I looked out my window and saw the grounds crew bow to everyone on the plane as if to say, “Thank you for choosing to visit our country.” Isn’t that amazing? In this film project, we see many people bow to one another in a show of respect.

Hopefully, watching this movie will motivate you to prepare your emergency kit in case of a disaster in your area. It’s smart to have one in your car, your workplace, and your home!

THINGS I LIKED:

We get a quick glance of the aftermath, and then the first episode quickly begins with the 8.8 earthquake that started all of the horrific events that unfolded.
The movie was filmed in Japanese but is offered on Netflix with dubbed English.
The special effects are pretty good.
Amazing cinematography.
Episode 3 is heartbreaking. Episode 4 shows a lot of gross radiation exposure to people.
It’s interesting to see that many workers and leaders don’t wear suits, including the Prime Minister. Instead, they wear track suits.
It’s so touching to watch workers volunteer for suicide missions.
We get to see some footage of the real events.
This story and its portrayal remind us that it takes many minds to solve a problem and that teamwork gets the work done.
Many of the actors will be unfamiliar to American audiences but they’ll all agree the Japanese men did an outstanding job. The cast includes Koji Yakusho, Yutaka Takenouchi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Kaoru Kobayashi, Takuma Otoo, Ken Mitsuishi, and so many more.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Japanese is written on various boards. The camera zooms in, making an emphasis on what is written, but if you don’t read Japanese, you’ll miss that dramatic moment.
When it comes to the technical elements of the reactors, you don’t have to understand all of the details to know when something is good or bad, mostly.
Episode 1 has all of the action with special effects with the earthquake and tsunami.
Those thin, white jumpsuits don’t seem like they’d do hardly anything to protect against radiation, right?
I wanted to see more scenes that showed how the tsunami traveled miles inland. We didn’t see much beyond the reactor site.
I would love to have seen more personal stories mixed with all of the technical elements of the reactor facility.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

We see dead animals.
Some profanity
We see gross pictures of people’s arms and bodies that have been exposed to radiation.
We see the naked backside of a few men in a shower.

THEMES:

Survival
Emergency preparedness
Government incompetence
Sacrifice
Courage
Choice and consequence
Accountability
Hope
Nuclear energy
Media

FUNNY LINES:

This is a serious drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

“What is the meaning of those days?” – Narrator
“Will we be able to do it in complete darkness?” – nuclear reactor employee “We have no other choice.” –
“Don’t think about how it will affect your body. Just focus on accomplishing our mission.”
“What can I do with the time I have left?” – Narrator