Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2003) - full transcript

It was a mid-winter trip.
Freezing cold, I remember.

So we had some hot noodles.

And, uh... a chocolate-covered banana?

We borrowed this car.

All the punks staring at us
made me reall nervous.

The aquarium.

It was closed.

The seaside.

A seashell.

A busted light-bulb.

Man, this takes me back!



The love hoTell we stayed in.
It was her idea, not mine.

Um...

Oh, that book...
Josee was always reading it.

'In a Month, In a Year'...

How many years
has It been?

Hey, 'Brother' ..

Sit in for me, Will you?

Uh, sure.

Boss, can I sit in here?

We don't mind. do we?

Sorry. I've got the runs.

She sure is
one weird old lady...

Yeah!

I see her all the time.



About dawn, when I'm going home.
This old lady shuffllng along...

...pushing this falllng-apart
old baby carriage.

It gives me the creeps.

What's she got
in the baby carriage?

A grand-kid, maybe?

What are you talking about?
She's been doing it for ten years!

A mummy, then.

A mummy?

Her grand-kid,
Who died ten years ago.

And then she lost her mind.

You're crazy.

That old lady?
She's a messenger.

They say she runs stuff
for some crime syndicate.

Is that true?!

That's the rumor.

She's carrying something?

Yeah?

Cash.

No, drugs.

You're kidding!

I should go check her out.
Where does she walk?

Thanks, man.

What?

What's going on?

'Earthly Hand' and '13 Orphans'...

A perfect hand...

The first time I've ever had one.

Why when I was just
sitting in?

Tsuneo!

Don't let any stray mutts
get near her.

Mimi's a virgin, you know.

Yeah, yeah...

And don't you go
taking her t o a hot e yourself.

Yeah, right!

Kumiko!

Kumiko!

Kumiko!

Young man...

...see if she's all right.

Kumiko!

No!

It wasn't him!

That low-llfe!

That thug!

You've come out of your way.

The girl's legs are bad.
She can't walk.

Cerebral palsy, one doctor said.

Then another doctor
said it wasn't.

We never did find out.

But still she wants me
to take her out for walk s.

For me...

...I don't want people knowing
I have a grand-daughter like this.

That's why I always go out
around this time ..

.. so not many people
will see her.

We Ilve here.

Will you eat?

Sorry?

Breakfast.

Uh, well, you know...

No, Thanks?

It's just that...
I'm kind of at work.

Thank you.

Oh, I couldn't...

Thanks.

Thank you.

Uh...

...this omelette's great.

Sure it is.

I made it.
No thing I make tastes bad.

But you might get sick later

There's chick en shit
on the eggshells.

Salmonella.

Salmonella?

Salmonella causes 40 per cent
of all food poisoning cases.

You're in university
and you don't even know That?

Screw-ups? They happen
all the time.

Oh, damn...

The senior was looking
all over for it...

...and here I was going,
'Hey, man, don't look at me!'

You're f funny.

Yeah?

Have you got time later?

Why?

I need to ask about something.

Me? Why?

Why not?

Here, Tsuneo.

The tapes you lent us.
Thanks.

Yeah, Thanks a lot.

Sorry to keep them so long.

These aren't mine!

Wait, Wait! Keep still!

Wait, I said!

So what was it all about?

What was What about?

Kanae.

She wanted to know if she
should become a social worker.

Aw, isn't that sweet!
She would, wouldn't she.

So what did you t ell her?

I said I thought
it was a great idea.

Why'd you say that?

We I, you know... she's cute.

I just had to tell her
she was a sweetheart.

Out comes the secret weapon.

What's that?

She looks up at you,
tilts her head 45 degrees...

...and say s. 'I'd really like
to talk t o you about something.'

There isn't a guy I know
who could resist that

She broke up
with her boyfriend.

Now she's playing the field.

You could fuck her.

Yeah?

And she's got big tits.

What are you grinning about?

Nothing.

Don't look so happy!

Tits, huh...

I didn't t ouch
the baby carriage.

I just went t o look in it
and the old woman let go.

Causing trouble again!

What was in it?

I don't know. Now I want to see
even more.

Sounds like he's after
the money.

I'd be careful. You might come out
worse than you even do at mah jong.

Look...

...what are you old farts
talking about?!

I'm just making small talk!

Next time he'll attack her.

Tell the old lady
to watch out.

You ate there, didn't you?

The food was great.

Who's there?

It's me.

Me.

It's me.

The guy who had Breakfast
with you the other day.

What do you want?

Did somebody
go after you again?

Was it a young guy?

An old one.

Not a young guy
with a thick face?

A fat little old man.

What? Who's he?

But I f ought back
with my knife.

I drew blood, and he took off
as fast as he could.

You told the police?

The police?

Maybe you should stop
taking those walk s.

I can't do that.

Why not?

There's things have to see.

Like what?

Flowers...

And cats.

Flowers and cats?

Don't laugh!

But flowers and cats?

Your poor Gran!

What the hell?!

I got down.

You ought to think of
a better way to get down.

Who's that?

Uh, hello...

He's back for another meal.

Oh. it's you again.

I like cucumber.

It's not pickled yet.

That smells good

She keeps diving
onto the floor.

Diving?

It's true!

Like it was a mosh pit
at a rock show.

I'm afraid she'll break her neck
one day.

You were thinking
about social work..

.. so I came t o you.

I'm glad you did.

Anyway...

...the hand capped should have
their homes made barrier free.

Handrails, no steps...

...and the bathroom floor
raised to level.

I don't think
They have any money.

There's government ass stance.

The amount varies
from person to person.

Is she registered
as being handicapped?

What's wrong?

Huh?

Uh, nothing.

Is she registered?
I don't know.

I'll check things out.

You will? Thanks a lot.

You got hurt, didn't you.

In second year.

Yeah.

Was it hard to quit rugby?

I don't know...
It wasn't that important.

But you liked it, didn't you?

I don't know...

I don't brood over
What I can't change.

It just makes you tired.

No...

I can't

I'm going.

See you.

I wish Mom wouldn't send
all the food t o my place.

She knows I'd just let it rot.

This devil's-tongue's great.

Pollack roe! Excellent!

I wrapped it for you.
Keep it in the fridge.

Aw. ain't that nice!

Want some carrots?

Nah.

Wait a minute... give me some.

Why? You don't cook.

Divvy up all the veggies.

Aw, man!

Takashi!

Aren't you done yet?

Just about!

Don't you ever go back t o your place?
You're wasting rent.

I can't be bothered
All my clothes are here, too.

Oh.

No!

My parents sent me
all this stuff.

Vegetables, miso paste...

You can have it if you want.

I don't really cook.

It's really good stuff.

Make lots of rice.

You've got your nerve!

Slice that leek.

Yes, ma'am!

Don't worry.
I washed the blood off.

You stabbed him with this?

I'll be in trouble
if they do a Luminol test.

A 'Luminol test'?

A criminall might clean up
the bloodstains.

But if the pollce lab
puts down Luminol...

...it reacts with blood traces
to give o f f a blue light.

You sure know a lot.

By the way,
what's your name, anyway?

Josee.

No, your reall name.

'Josee', like I said.

Your Gran called you 'Kumiko'.

Why did you ask
if you already knew?

'Josee'...

'Josee'.. it's got
a ring to t.

What? Taste it?

Thanks.

It's great. Really good.

Thank you!

I'm stuffed!

Gran gets them for me
out o f the garbage.

All of them?

Your neighbors read
some weird things.

I've read them so o f ten
I've memorized them.

That's why you know
all those weird things.

Tell me..

...could I buy
a Tokarev pistol somewhere?

What for?

Self-defence.

No, you couldn't.

'The Chinese-made version
is now so common...

'...the black-mark et price
has fallen more than 50 per cent.'

I'm sure I could find one.

No, you couldn't!

Are you sure
I couldn't buy a Tokarev?

'By Francoise Sagan'...

You know Sagan?!

Just the name.

There's a sequel to this book.
Do you know the title?

No.

Oh.

You want it?

I've been waiting for someone
to throw out a cop y.

But no one has.

Sagan... Sagan... Sagan...

'The Wonderful Clouds'.

Deleted

Oh.. it's out of print

You can't buy t?

'Fraid not.

I see.

I don't know if
you'd have any luck..

You'd have to check out
the used-book stores.

It says right here... 'deleted'.

“One day you Will not
love him any more”...

'...Bernard said softly.

"And one day, doubtless,
I will not love you any more, either.

"And we will be alone once more,
and in that be alike.

“And another y ear
will have gone by.”

“I know” said Josee.'

So Josee's the heroine
of those book s?

She's not listening.

You found t
in a used-book store?

I thought I'd try t o find it,
and I did. Only 50 yen.

'How old had she been?

'Fourteen or fifteen, perhaps?

'She had often lalin
beneath that poplar...

'...her feet up against the trunk...

'...gazing up at its numberless leaves
swaying above her in the breeze.

'A high wind still blew
as if t o carry away...

...the slender trees that bowed
their heads in unison before it.'

Hey...

She smiled!

Magic marker...

Thanks.

Get in.

You go, Tae.

OK?

It's the old pervert!

Yeah. the pervert!

Don't call me that
or I'll touch your titties.

Look out! It's a pervert!
Call him names!

Pervert!

Pervert!

Go away!

Go away!

Pervert!

Pervert!

Pervert!

Look.

You mean now?

Gran won't like it
if I go out now.

She's asleep!

Come on!

How's basketball?

Good.

How did the team do
in the tournament?

We got through
the qualifying round.

Like it?

This is fun!

Go!

Go!

No bicycle's going t o beat us!

Whoops!

Josee?

Josee? Are you all right?

Are you OK?!

Do you want t o kill me?

Did you h t somewhere?
Are you hurt?

You know, I'd really I k e
to take that cloud home with me...

Here?

His name's Koji.

Go get him.

Who is he?

My son.

Son?

How's it going?
Where's the old lady?

No t here.

She dead?

She's alive. At home.

It'd be no loss
if the old bitch kick ed off.

Your eczema better?

No. Mind your own business.

Is that any way
to talk to your mother?

I've got a mother
and it isn't you, dumb-ass!

Listen...

...you know what a Tokarev is?

Huh? A Tokarev?

Made in China.

How would I know, dumb-ass?

Aren't They Russian?

The magazine said Chinese.

He's right. They're Russian.

You shut up.

Don't talk to him like That!

Shut up! I'll kick your ass!

You shut up!

Who the fuck are you?

No one. Just a friend.

Sorry.

A fine mess
you could have gotten us into!

What if the neighbors saw her?

We didn't see any one
from the neighborhood.

Just who do you think you are?

You're damaged goods.

What's damaged
Will never be made whole.

I'm sorry, young man,
but I'd like you to leave.

When a girl who's no use to any one
starts acting like she was normal...

...there's trouble!

The granny from hell!

What are you looking at?!

I'll kick your ass!

Hey, aren't you the guy
That was with Kumiko?

That girl's nuts in the head.

Years ago she just started
cAllng herself my mother.

Why?

I don't k now!

To piss me off

We were in the same orphanage
when we were kids.

I just got so sick
of hearing that word...

Mommy!

Mommy! Mommy! Momnmy!

ALL those assholes.

The only ones who didn't keep
calling their mothers...

...were me and her.

I had enough
so I decided to get out of there.

I took her with me.

Hey...

I'll be your mother.

What are you talking about?!

I'll smack you in the head!

I'll kick your ass!

Don't piss me o f f!

The renovations are free.
I t ell you!

The city pays for it.

You app y, and a month later
it's done.

I really think you should.

It's free!

It's too good t o be true.

I'm not fooled.

OK I'll app y for you,
all right?

Gran! Gran!

Isn't it great?
Things'll be so much easier.

It seems like an awful waste
for just one old lady ..

Where's the grand-daughter?

Hiding, probably. The old lady
doesn't want people to know.

Three days to do all this?
You work fast.

We're right on schedule.

You said you were graduating
this year, didn't you?

Yes.

I was just thinking
how impressed I was...

...with your willingness
to volunteer like this.

I wouldn't ca it that...

What?

Were you here all along?

Yeah.

What's That? A text book?

Yeah.

From the garbage?

When the new school year starts,
everyone throws out last y ear's texts.

Gran always goes
and collects them.

I didn't go to school.

'Kanali Haruki'...

A guy who lives
around here, I guess.

'Modern Japanese'...
That takes me back.

What's this?!

It was with his textbooks.

What s Kanai Haruki reading?!
He's only in high school!

He probably graduated.
He might be in university now.

He's an idiot, though.
His writing's full of mistakes.

Show me...

He mixes up the 'show' radical
and the 'clothes' one.

And the three strokes
in 'visit's ant the wrong way.

'Visit'...

Oh, these three strokes...

Yeah. And then...

Hello?

What's going on?

Sorry to barge in.

I thought I might come
and observe.

Oh, I see.

'Observe'...

How do you do.
I'm studying social work.

Come in and look around.

All right.

Ask what you like.

Thank you.

She's observing.
Let her look around.

Sorry to bother you.

Your girlfriend?

Huh?

She's gorgeous!

It's not like that...

Words fail me.

I found out a lot.

Yeah?

Oh. hello.

That's the girl?
The one with all the energy?

Uh, yeah...

The one who dives every where?

That I'd like t o see.

You going to 3rd period?

Yeah.

Who is it?

Me.

Is someone there?

What do you want?

Uh, no thing...

I bought some
octopus dumplings.

Josee?

Shut up!

Kumiko!

Stop it!

Kumiko!

Hello?

Josee?

Gran! Open the door!

Hello? Gran?

Gran...

Young man!

Young man, please...

...don't come here any more.

The girl is damaged goods.

She's not someone...

...a man like you
can do anything to help.

Goodbye.

All the best t o you.

Aren't they cute?

Take some dog food, too.

What's with the tie?

Job interviews.

Here you go.

My kid's going to love this!

I appreciate you taking him.

You have t o find them homes?

The puppies are easy.
It's the mother who's the problem.

Yeah, your boss
doesn't love her any more.

Only virgins for him.

No wonder
he's never gotten married.

Kissy-kissy!

Aren't you a sweetie!

A dog's life, huh?

There's a barbecue
on Saturday...

Yeah?

You want to go?

Saturday...

Sounds like fun...

I have but two nipples!
Take one! Take one!

Pull it right off!

These frosh are nuts!

I'm glad you could make it.

These new kids are crazy!

You find a girlfriend?

Of course not!

And now Kanai Haruki
will show you his armpit hair!

Kanai Haruki'?

Where have I heard that name?

It's the Kanai Armpit Show!

Kanai! Kanai!

Hey, you! Come here!

What s it?

Are you Kanai Haruki
the bondage freak?

Who told you?

You read bondage magazines
in high school?

Yeah!

I'm a 'top'.

I tied up ten girls in high school.

You're crazy!

But those uniforms, man!
There's nothing like it!

What?

Are you a t op, too?

What?

You want t o tie me up,
maybe?

You want t o tie or be tied?

Why are you here?

What?

I'd forgotten her!

Hey, what's the matter?

Kanai!

Let go of me, damn t!

Let go!

Hey, you're all dressed up!
Good to see you again.

It's been a while.

Sorry t o be so sudden...

Don't worry about it.

Sit down.

Well...

It's a small company,
so it won't take long to look around.

So if you can stand t o work here...

I wouldn't put it that way.

No?

No.

Well, I'm very happy
you remembered us.

I've put the word in
with Personnel.

I guess it was in the cards.

Thank you.

That crippled girl was
quite something. How is she?

Uh...

...I haven't really...

We I, with her grandmother gone...

What?!

You didn't know?
She died no t long ago.

It was very sudden.

The Welfare people tell me
the girl's having trouble coping.

I mean, how does she shop?

I'm sorry.

The stores are so far away...

Excuse me.

Huh?

What's going on?

Don't you want t o look around?

Josee...

It's me.

Your Gran died?

Can I come n?

The neighbors took care
of the funeral for me.

It was so sudden... I hard y realized
what was happening.

Are you eating right?

Sure am.

But how are you
doing your shopping?

Someone from Welfare
comes a f ew times a week.

I'm fine for now.

Yeah?

There's a pervert
who lives Next door.

After Gran died...

...he came snoop ng around
offering to do things for me.

The other day...

.. he said 'I'll put out your garbage
if you e time t ouch your tits.'

He did?! Then What?

I let him, and he takes
my garbage out every day.

What are you talking about?!

What?

Why did you do that?!

It's a long way
to the garbage p ck-up.

Get the Welfare person
to do that!

They come around noon.

That's too late
for the garbage truck.

Yeah, but...

And who cares?

It's none of your business.

Who are you to be telling me
about my garbage?

It...

It doesn't concern you!

Go away.

Go away!

You're really going?

You said to.

Then go!

If you're going
'cause I t old you t o, then go!

Go!

Go away!

I don't mean it.

Stay with me.

Don't leave.

Stay here.

Forever.

OK.

Forever?

Yeah.

I'll be here.

Hey...

It's OK.

What is?

Doing it.

Yeah, but... I don't know...

Why?

I'm different from
the Pervert Next door.

You are?

Yeah.

How?

Oh, man...

I feel like I'm going to cry.

Say something.

Hm?

I'm scared.

Sorry. Too busy.

There's a bug here.

I love you.

I love you,
and everything you do.

It's like a nightmare!

You said you wanted to see it.

I always thought
if I ever fell in love...

...I wanted to go and see
all the things That scared me most.

If I'd never met any one
I'd never have seen a real tiger.

I'd have accepted that.

But now I've seen one.

Be grateful.

Who. me?

Anything else?

Just the heavy stuff now.

Yeah?

Amazing!

A real handicapped person.
I've never talked to one before.

Nor had I.

Kanai Haruki...

Hey...

...why does that girl
keep grinning at me?

You're just imagining things.

It's hilarious.

You've got Tsuneo saying
things like...

.. he can't lea v e you alone...

...and he's the only one
who'll stay with you.

He's not that noble a guy,
you know.

I envy you
the weapon you have.

You really think that?

Yes, I do.

Then cut off your legs
and see What it's like.

One Year Later

The devil's-tongue's great.
Ea t it while it's fresh.

Tsuneo...

Are you really bringing her
when we go home for the memorial?

Hm? Oh yeah...

It's nice to have...

...a younger brother
who's so concerned.

No, it'll be cool to bring
a handicapped girl friend home.

Mom and Dad'll love it.

Yeah, but...

Hello?

Can you help me?

What?

Anyway, go for it.
I'll back you up

Takashi...

See you there.

We're back.

She peed twice!

She did?

Hey, are you
throwing this out?

Yeah.

Why?

It's busted.

Big Brother'll fix it.

He says he can't.

New Mistral Lites,
on sale Next month!

This is our on-street
introduction campaign.

Come and get
your free sample pack.

Yeah, I know that.

Every construction job's
different.

But you can't just give them
everything They want.

There's our side to it, too.

Sure, you've got t o be
nice to them...

...but you can't let them have
every thing the r own way.

We're in business, too.

What's the matter?

Uh, can catch up with you?

She didn't t ell you?

What?

About how...

...I hauled o ff and slapped her.

I mean, how could I let that happen?

Some handicapped bitch
stealing my boyfriend?

What's up with that?
I was so mad could've killed her.

I hit her twice and left.

After that
I didn't care any more.

About you...

...or a job.

This is awful. Why did you
have to come down that street?

We were out
making sales calls.

You're the last person I wanted
to see me dressed up like that.

It's fine.

What is?

It's cute.

I took a pack,
and I don't even smoke

OK, I'm here t o lend you
my very own car.

You're going home with that jerk?
Say something, Will you?

Look after the dog, OK?

Waitch it or I'll kick your ass!

You fuck a I day!
Why getting married now?

Married?

That's what it means
when you meet his f o k s.

Fool!

What?

That's no t going to happen.

Why not?

You fuck every day..

...and now you're going
to meet his folks!

You're such a child!

Wait a minute!

That's the way it work s!

Bullshit!

Bullshit!

I'll kick your ass!

What's all this marriage' shit!

I'll bust heads!

Fool!

What are you looking at?!

Want a boiled egg?

Why did you make all those?

We're on a trip!

So?

Gran said you take boiled eggs.

And we've got...

...rice crackers...

...mikans...

...and green tea.

Perfect!

Damn right! I've been
checking my list for a week.

Yeah, you've never
been away before.

Approximately
one kilometer ahead...

...turn left.

What is that?!

A navigator.

A navgator?

So that's what
a car navigator s...

Hey, don't touch that!

You changed the map!

Nakanmichi Aquariunm

Closed

Why?!

Ow!

Why is it closed?!

Because it's closed.

But came all this way
to see it!

It can't be helped.

Yes. it can!
Do something, will you?

Fish! Fish! Hey, fish!

I know you're in there!

Come on, fish!
Do something!

Swim out here
or something!

Look! Look at how
the color changes!

Look! It's amazing!
It really changes!

If you don't mind...

...I'm driving.

Wait...

Let's buy a wheelchair.

No.

I don't need a wheelchair.

I do!

I've got you to carry me.

Give me a break, Will you?

I'm going to get old one day,
you know.

Yeah, there's some work came up
I can't get out o f.

Yeah...

Yeah...

Uh-huh...

Yeah?

Well, if it's work, it's work.

Hello.

OK. I'll explain to Dad.

I'd appreciate it.

Tsuneo...

Who chickened out?

What?

Don't look!

What?

Jeez!

What are you doing?

Distance toldestlnation
140 kilometers.

Estimated time of arrival 13...

Drive to the sea.

I want to see the ocean.

Is that the sea?

Is that the sea?

That? No, that's just a river.

You're lying... aren't you?

Sorry. That's the sea

The sea...

So this is the sea...

Like it?

It's great!

Just look at it!

Some thing's shining over there.

There.

That red thing.

Where?

That's pretty.

You planned that!

You'll get me all wet!

Over there!

What?

Just go there!

There's some thing
sparkling there.

That's just water.

Oh.

I'll get all wet!

There's tons o f them!

Whoa!

Push down and it'll focus.

Watch the birdie.

Let's find an inn
with a hot spring.

Yeah...

Hey!

What's that?

There!

At 'Fish Castle'!

There!

You want to stay here?
They rent rooms b y the hour!

I don't care!
I want t o stay here!

Have t your way.

How about...

...in return I let you do
the nastiest thing n the world?

You mean it?

Did it hurt?

Was that nasty enough for you?

Uh, yeah, it was great.

I get it... 'Fish Castle'!

There's a seashell swimming.

Do seashells swim?

Wow...

Hey...

Close your eyes.

What do you see?

Nothing. Just black.

That's the place
where I used to be

Where?

Way, way down
at the bottom o f the sea.

That's where
I came swimming up from.

Why?

To do the nastiest thing
in the world with you.

I see.

You lived at
the bottom of the sea...

There was no light there,
no sound...

...the wind didn't blow.
and the rain didn't f all.

Just dead silence every where.

Wasn't it lonely?

Not especially.

It'd always been like that.

Nothing but time going by...

...very, very slowly.

I don't think
I can ever go back there.

Someday, if you're not
with me any more...

...I'll be like a lost seashell...

...all by myself...

...just rolling, rolling, rolling
along the ocean floor.

But even if that happens,
it'll be OK.

We lived together
for a few months after that.

Here.

A farewell gift.

Want something else?

No. This is fine.

Thanks.

The end was very relaxed.

Officially, there were
several reasons why we broke up.

But really there was only one.

I ran away.

Sorry to keep you Waiting.
Shall we go?

Are you hungry?

Let's get something ho t.

Udon noodles?

The Yanagiya's lunch special
lasts till 2.

Or I could make something.

Sorry...

Some women you can break up with
and stay friends.

But not Josee.

I doubt I'll ever see her again.