Airport 2013 [Film Review]

Airport 2013; or, Mind Your Business!
     Everyone has their own secrets. Is there someone who doesn't have one in this world? But, They didn't lie out of ill-will, they lied to protect the family.
Director Koki Mitani is such an underrated filmmaker. Almost every enthusiast of Japanese Cinema marvels at the visual finesse of Takeshi Kitano, Takahi Miike, or Hirokazu Koreeda (and quite rightfully so), but Mitani’s movies often seem to slip by the general mainstream. I, for one, had a hard time tracking down this little TV movie he made titled Airport 2013.

Release Info

Directed by: Koki Mitani Starring: Yuko Takeuchi, Katsuhisa Namase, Misuzu Kanno, Joe Odagiri

Language: Japanese Original Title: 大空港2013 Runtime: 100 min

Synopsis
Chigusa Okouchi (Yuko Takeuchi) is a ground staff officer at a small Matsumoto airport which mainly handles local airlines. Nevertheless, an airplane bound for Tokyo forcefully lands in Matsumoto due to bad weather over Haneda airport. Until the meteorological conditions clear up, Okouchi has to take care of passengers who wait to resume their journey. In the course of her assignment, Okouchi will unravel lots of family secrets and conspiracies that will lead to many hilarious incidents.

Regarding Okouchi
My only wish is that I could have discovered this gem of a movie much earlier. Koki Mitani does not present a disaster scenario as in Airport 1970 or a happy-go-lucky take on how airlines operate as in Happy Flight (2008). Rather than that, the viewers are presented with a day in the life of a diligent ground staff worker who carries tough responsibilities on her shoulders.

Initially, you may think that Okouchi has to deal with a family of degenerates, but all of them are vibrant personalities who turn out to be extremely likable in the end. Okouchi’s interactions with each character are so amazing and the dialogue is so witty!

What is more, it has to be mentioned that the whole film was shot at one take… Yes, all 100 minutes are not interrupted by cuts. Shinichiro Ueda and Sam Mendes should learn from Mitani how to handle this difficult art of filmmaking like a boss! Evidently, the director’s theatre background gives the film yet another dimension of charm. With the camera constantly following our protagonist here and there, you really get the feeling as if you are watching a stage play!

With regard to the performances, I know Airport 2013 is only a TV production but it has such an A-list cast! The magnificent Yuko Takeuchi, Katsuhisa Namase, Erika Toda, Misuzu Kanno, Teruyuki Kagawa, Masahiro Komoto, and Joe Odagiri as phony Casanova! All of them are absolutely brilliant. I was rolling on the floor laughing at such scenes as the grandfather’s confession, the casting interview, and Joe escaping in a drag!

Recommendations
If you want to experience a heart-warming and motivational story exploring tough day at work and difficult family relations, then Airport 2013 is the sure-fire choice for you. You can never go wrong with Koki Mitani and his storytelling style. In addition, the movie is a marvelous showcase of Yuko Takeuchi’s talent. It’s such a shame that this great actress is no longer with us. Overall score: 10/10

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