Nanako (Naomi Nishida), a young woman who has been living in Tokyo, returns to her birthplace on the remote Aguni island. On the boat ride she spots a mysterious man in a cream suit with a briefcase who seems to have a connection with the island. Nanako’s grandparents Keitatsu (Seijin Noborikawa) and Nabbie (Tomi Taira) welcome her into their house and she soon relaxes into the laid-back culture of the island. The man in the suit turns out to be an ex-lover of Nabbie, the two having being separated over 60 years earlier, who promised he would return to her. As Nabbie is torn between her feelings for this man, Sanra (Susumu Taira), and her husband, Nanako also has two suitors in the shape of the freshly arrived Tokyoite Fukunosuke (Jun Murakami) and local admirer Kenji (Shinichi Tsuba).
Written by director Yuji Nakae with Motoko Nakae, “Nabbie’s Love” is a simple story of love and life set on a remote island. Music plays a central part in the narrative, with frequent performances of shamisen, violin and vocals from the folk musician cast. The use of songs to tell the story, particularly the repeated lyrics around a lost love and a return to youth, is unique: not quite a musical, but with music providing more than a simple score to the drama. The stunning surroundings of Aguni island, with vistas of the sea and the drifting clouds, is relaxing and the narrative likewise passes at a languid pace. The main cast do a great job of creating a sense of family and bringing to life the dynamics between husband and wife, grandparents and grand-daughter, and the supporting characters. The story is fairly straightforward and unfortunately we don’t see enough of Nabbie and Sunra’s relationship to make it impactful, instead her final decision seems to be more on a whim. Similarly, Nanako’s relationship also seems to be founded on very little. That aside, the film is an enjoyable watch, almost like a mini-break to a remote island where life moves slowly and is enjoyed moment to moment. It is also fun to hear the dialect of the islanders which differs from the standard Japanese spoken by Fukunosuke and Nanako, which along with the music shows the islanders’ distinctive culture.
The film examines the numerous facets of love: in Nabbie’s relationships we see the distinction between true love and a marriage of convenience; which is reflected in Nanako’s own decision later in the film between Kenji and Fukunosuke. The film also shows the different kinds of love that people are surrounded by, whether familial, romantic, or communal. In life we form relationships with many people, some long-term and some fleeting, and it can be hard to navigate our various whims and desires. The film’s quiet contemplation of the connections made by the characters offers us a chance to consider the direction of our own life and how we relate to others while attempting to follow our hearts. While the story might be lacking emotional depth, the scenery and music create a sense of place that is quietly calming and contemplative.
