Cottontail

Bereavement is a strange thing. While dealing with the complex emotions of grief, one has to keep the routines and relationships. Life takes on a painful focal point, but people also get lost in how they find closure. Even when family members grieve together over the loss of a loved one, this journey doesn’t always bring everyone close together.

This movie tells the story of a seemingly indifferent Japanese widower Kenzaburo (Lily Franky) embarking on a trip to visit England. It turned out that his wife Akiko (Tae Kimura) left a surprising last wish about England: “Please scatter my ashes on Lake Windermere.” This lake is often mentioned as a cherished childhood memory of Kenzaburo’s late wife, who was a fan of Peter Rabbit. Kenzaburo does not understand the reason why this lake has such a special place in his wife’s heart, but he considers it a paramount mandate.

To Kenzaburo’s estranged son Toshi (Ryo Nishikido), however, this trip feels like chasing a bunny down a rabbit hole. When the old man doggedly sets out to a foreign land, the Japanese son has to follow, bringing along his wife and young child. He is mainly worried that Kenzaburo cannot navigate traveling alone, not being able to speak much English. But recalling that this is a trip “we never got to make together as a family,” he also hopes to fill the void of regret.

Even with his son traveling alongside him, Kenzaburo would rather ask strangers for help than face his son. But it is in this brokenness that old memories are relived and they are reminded how this family came to be—and how the love of Kenzaburo and Akiko came to be. The bond of love is strained, yes, but there is still love. “Love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

(Rated 13+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV +, and other platforms. Mature themes include death and assisted suicide, occasional language, drinking, and smoking scenes.)