What I've Learned

In 1975, a rock band recorded an album, but their music was ahead of its time and didn't sell.

Wait a minute. Let's back up.

In 1953, a publishing company bought the rights to an English manuscript, which they translated into Japanese.

Stop. We need to go forward.

In 1982, there was a timid university student whose lack of confidence was costing him all hope of finding love.

Hold on. Go back.

One of the songs recorded by the rock band was based on lines from the 1953 book.

Okay, jump forward.

In 1999, a religious leader's major prediction didn't come to pass and his followers turned on him.

Now go forward some more.

In 2009, a school girl's day went from bad to worse. She fell asleep and failed to get off a large ferry with the rest of her class. The ship was then taken over by a brutal gang of hijackers.

In case you're wondering, I just watched a movie called Fish Story, which ricochets in and out of six different years: 1953, 1975, 1982, 1999, 2009, and 2012.

It's a business movie, a rock 'n roll documentary, a love story, a religious expose, an action film, and a disaster picture all wrapped up in one.

The business part concerns the book publisher. The rock 'n roll documentary is about the rock band; how they started and how they failed.

The love story centers on the timid student.

The religious expose concerns a doomsday prophet whose followers give up everything, only to discover he was mistaken in his warning.

The action sequences take place during the hijacking.

And then there's the disaster.

In 2012, a comet is headed for earth. It's only five hours away. You can see it looming in the sky, hurtling toward our planet. All nations are bracing for this end-of-life event. In Japan, cities have been evacuated because of devastating tsunamis that will be created when the comet hits. All businesses are closed and all people have gone to higher ground – all, except a single music store, its owner and two customers.

The movie jumps from situation to situation and time period to time period. This doesn't matter. Each story is well-cast, well-acted, compelling, and enjoyable. And the ending is enormously satisfying.

The movie, as I said, is called Fish Story. It's in Japanese with English subtitles and was released in 2009. You can watch it streaming on Netflix or you can buy the DVD. I don't think any area libraries have it yet.

If you are a long-time reader of this column, you know that occasionally I review quirky, little-known, non-Hollywood films that are worth seeing. It's been awhile since I've come across one I liked enough to discuss here.

I liked Fish Story. I really liked it. As soon as it was over, I immediately watched it again.

If you feel this review is too cryptic and doesn't give you enough information, that's on purpose. It's best if you see this film fresh and experience the details for yourself.

The film is unrated, so be warned that the F-word appears a few times in the subtitles and there's some martial arts violence. Neither the bad language nor the violence is pervasive.

As you watch Fish Story, you will be confused, but that's okay. Go with it. By the time the comet hits, confusion will have cleared, you will be glad they made this movie, and happy you watched it.