The Yellow Handkerchief (1977) [Film Review]

The Yellow Handkerchief; or, Holiday Road
     Stop! Stop the car! Step on the brakes! That's the accelerator! Stop!
Whenever I see a film by Yoji Yamada, I think I know what to expect, but this legendary director manages to surprise me time and time again! Just as when I was convinced that nothing can top The Twilight Samurai (2002) or A Class to Remember (1993), The Yellow Handkerchief suddenly arrived in a red mazda with screeching tires. Let’s take a closer look at this sweet and touching road film made in Japan.

Release Info

Directed by: Yoji Yamada Starring: Ken Takakura, Kaori Momoi, Tetsuya Takeda

Language: Japanese Original Title: 幸福の黄色いハンカチ Runtime: 108 min

Synopsis
Kinya (Tetsuya Takeda) can’t get over the fact that his girlfriend dumped him. As a result, he quits his job, buys a new car, and hits the road. Going in the direction of Hokkaido, the man is desperate to find a travel companion, most preferably a girl. He hits on Akemi (Kaori Momoi), a lone traveller who goes sightseeing in order to forget about cheating boyfriend. When the two characters reach the seaside, they meet Yusaku (Ken Watanabe) who is also heading towards Sapporo, so they offer him to join them. The three strangers find themselves in for an exciting ride full of adventures.

Towards Redemption
The Yellow Handkerchief caught me completely off guard. I was convinced that the film will be a simple slice-of-life flick with comedy elements at best, but it turned out to be a spiritual companion piece to Yamada’s other magnificent picture A Distant Cry from Spring (1980). With its unforgettable characters, touching moments of intimacy, and hilarious adventures, The Yellow Handkerchief becomes a road film classic, surpassing even the masterpiece that defined the genre: Scarecrow (1973).

I would argue that the only disadvantage is the film’s spoilery theatrical poster. Yusaku, the character played by the late Ken Takakura, is a mysterious guy with personal trauma. This constitutes the core of the film when his backstory is revealed (and how it all relates to the concepts of “yellow handkerchiefs”), but the poster, and even some online synopses, spoil the film’s ending right away! Rest assured, I am not going to share all the plot twists here. However, if you want to see the film and genuinely feel the bond with the travelling trio, then avoid the film’s info on the net.

With regard to performances, Ken Takakura blew me away yet again with his portrayal of a tough guy with a gentle heart. It is truly unfortunate that this magnificent actor is no longer with us. Kaori Momoi also steals the show as Akemi, an incurable optimist, who is always there for her friends. In addition, Tetsuya Takeda provides a much needed comic relief as sloppy but well-meaning Kin-chan. The supporting performances of Chieko Basho and Kiyoshi Atsumi (best known from Yamada’s Tora-san series) cannot go unnoticed as well.

Recommendations
It comes as no surprise that the success of The Yellow Handkerchief spawned two drama adaptations and an American remake, but the original remains unsurpassed to date. If you want to check out an emotional tale about three strangers helping each other out, then I recommend Yoji Yamada’s The Yellow Handkerchief. This motion picture will definitely leave you in high spirits.Overall score: 8/10

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