Lost Paradise (1997) - full transcript

Presented by Kadokawa Shoten,
Mitsui Bussan & Nippon Shuppan

Executive Producer
Kadokawa Tsuguhiko

Produced by Hara Masato

From the novel by
Watanabe Junichi

Lost Paradise

See me home?

What?

Here you are.

What do you do?

I'm in publishing.

You're here for work?



Half work, half playing hooky.

Hey, kuki!

They want circulation
up another 30,000!

We're already up 10,000
from when you were editor.

Well, Mizuguchi...

That's what you get when
you run all the magazines.

Chief! You're supposed to
call this number right away.

Yeah, yeah...

I wish they'd move me to an
easy job! Let's have a drink.

Come on! Hurry it up!

After the meeting I'll be at the lab.

So you'll be late...

Oh, yes... get some Epoisses.

Are we out already?
You certainly like cheese!



Try Fermier's if there's none
at Kinokuniya.

All right.

The phone...

Don't worry. That'll be
my mother.

Off you go.

Yes?

Oh, it's you...

That was you just now,
wasn't it.

Just now?

At this hour!
That's not very discreet.

I haven't had
an indiscreet thought yet...

But I hear your voice
and suddenly...

Tonight? I'm going out
with a friend.

Who?

A male.

It's been a while since
we were out. Keeping busy?

With what?

After your sideways promotion
we can't talk about work...

You always were blunt...

I'm not twiddling my thumbs
there because I want to.

You know what I've been
thinking lately?

I'd like to fall madly in love.

Citron-flavored taro...

Fried Autumn eggplant...

Fish flakes on mine.

Ginger and horse radish here.

So have you got your eye on someone?

Of course not!

Although that little
Mrs Print would be nice...

Mrs Print?

Matsubara Rinko...

Remember when you lectured on
writing at the culture center?

You met her then.

The beautiful
calligraphy teacher.

She won't write nice,
rounded-off characters.

She likes the printed style,
so I call her 'Mrs Print'.

'Mrs Print'...

Matsubara Rinko... Rinko...

So where?

Everywhere you touch me
feels good...

I mean where should we take
a trip to?

Anywhere... as long as
I'm with you.

Somewhere I've never been.

Enter.

Next weekend some college
friends are planning a trip.

Oh.

Yoshioka's been promoted.

Send him a gift.

All right. Orchids again?

We always send orchids...

Something else, then?

No, that'll do.

Ah, I was one popular fellow
once upon a time...

What are you doing?

Can you pack for yourself?

I have to go to Kyoto.

There's some material I need
for my damn history series.

I see. Sounds like a lot of work.

Sorry. Were you waiting?

Here.

Well done!

'This hatred now...

'...is retribution
for jealousy past.'

'The flame of jealousy...

... consumes itself.'

'did you not know?'

'know it now, then.'

'A heart filled with jealousy!

'Oh!

'a heart filled with hate!'

I've never seen Noh by firelight before.

It was very good.

It used to be pure firelight,
with no electric lighting.

Maybe the Noh the samurai saw
was deeper...

More eerie.

Wait...

I'll take a shower.

You're fine this way.

Tonight we don't
have to go home.

We'll pay for this...

It was different again.

It's different each time...
It takes me further.

It's scary.

That word again...

I wonder if it goes like that
for everyone?

No. Not everyone's
in love like we are.

Come here...

See you home?

What?

It'll be that much harder
to say goodbye.

Is this all right?

Just to your station.

Hello.

Well, look who's here!

I finally get to come home,
and you're away!

Toru's away on business,
and you went where? Kyoto?

This isn't much of a souvenir...

You're back early.

Kyoto candy... a souvenir
from daddy.

Well, I'll go take a shower.

He brought a gift... how nice.

Doesn't the tempura there
taste a little weird?

Yeah?

Yeah. A bit oily.

Tea break: Mr Suzuki,
your strawberry yogurt.

Kyoto coarse tea
for Mr Yokoyama.

For Mr Kuki, Earl grey.

Mr Muramatsu, you've almost
used up your herb tea...

Yeah? Agh, it tastes awful!

Tea is something you drink
for pleasure.

It's not a health food.

But they say it works.

How much can it do? Tea is tea.

This yogurt drink's good.

The problem is the straw
they give you with it...

How far along are you in your
history series, Kuki?

Up to Abe sada.

The woman in the 30's
who cut off the guy's thing?

I don't understand that.

Yeah, dying for love!

Falling in love so much that
you'd do that!

Slice! Ever been in love?

Funny how a job
with no deadline...

never seems to end.

Do you miss having someone
always hurrying you up?

Here you go.

But Mr Kuki...

Doesn't look as if he minds
not being an editor any more.

He looks fine.

You mean the rest of us don't?

It's how you view it.

You don't have 'spare time',
you have 'freedom'.

Seeing fewer people means
not so many idiots.

And we can sit and drink tea
and say whatever we want.

Well, you can rationalize it
that way.

The problem is how to pass
all this time we have.

How's work going?

Busy. It's winter-gift time.

Is chinaware still popular?

Tiles with designs, yes.

People use them in bathrooms,
or for hot-dish holders.

I see...

Well, I guess
I'd better be going.

After the reception
I'm going out to Hakone...

To a hotel near the golf course.

Hey...

Oh... see you.

Special Mention Matsubara Rinko

I know you're busy.
Thank you for coming.

Thank you very much.

How have you been?

Begin in prudence,
end in devotion.

She's quite a woman. I'll bet
every man here thinks so.

Thank you very much for coming.

You look wonderful tonight.

This guy can't take
his eyes off you.

This is Imai Midori,
a friend from high school.

How do you do.

She's just been divorced
from a frenchman.

I see... say, why don't we all
go for a drink later?

I can't...

What, you've got plans?

Golf. I'm staying out near
the course tonight.

Thank you for coming.
I know you're very busy.

Well...

Too bad. He's usually
more sociable.

Sorry, I couldn't get away...

Shall we go?

Just a minute...

Hold this, will you?

What, are you still here?

I was a bit thirsty...

Oh!

Well, look who's here!

I guess he's not coming...

Who?

Oh, someone important
was supposed to come tonight.

Well, if he stood you up,
to hell with him.

Come with us instead.

You'll have another one,
won't you?

Uh, no thanks...

Oh yes, you're playing golf
tomorrow...

Yeah... see you, then.

Goodbye.

The three of us, then...

Is it all right?

What?

This is good...

And you're beautiful.

Good liquor
and 'flowers on both sides'!

Share my umbrella?

Damn thing...

Huh?

I didn't mean to wake you...

- When did you get here?
- Just now.

So you got here by yourself?

Yes. Do you want to go
in the bath first?

Let's both go.

At that point
I had to put up a fight.

A fight? You?

Me versus sales, head to head.

They wanted sales,
I wanted quality.

So now I have lots of free time.

Well, your having free time
is good for me.

Shall we stay one more night?

All right.

It's strange...

Has it always been like this?

People bathed by the sun,
listening to the wind...

Doing the same thing over
and over for ages untold?

A man doing all he can
to delight a woman...

And the woman responding.

No change, no progress...

Just the same thing,
over and over and over.

But it's the woman
who's the greedy one...

It wasn't like that
at the start.

You had a special gift.

A gift?

Yes. A talent.

Something good...

Right here.

Doesn't your husband
say anything?

I can't make love
with anyone but you.

Nothing's as good as this.

He's a fine boy, isn't he.

He's adorable.

- You have a nice one, too.
- Huh?

Your 'Cookie'...Mr Kuki.

Your husband doesn't know?

No.

I think I might
fall in love, too.

I need to be happy...
For my sake and my son's.

I've got someone in mind.
I'll introduce you.

What's he like?

Every bit as nice
as this boy here.

Sounds great...

This time he's Dutch.

You're not suited to kids,
are you.

Here you are.

Had lunch?

Not yet, but I've got
lots of time.

What's on your mind?

Well...

In January they're farming me
out to Maron Co.

The affiliate? As president?

Well, vice-president, for now.

But even president... big deal!

Being a salaryman is
a real joke, isn't it.

Once they don't need you,
they just toss you aside.

You aren't being tossed aside.

A guy like you is just what
Maron Co. Needs.

All these years working
my ass off, and what for?

Now I know how you must feel.

'it is not at summer's end
that Autumn comes.'

what's that?

It's from the miscellany
of a Japanese priest.

Summer doesn't just end
and fall start...

The summer heat prepares us
for the chill of Autumn.

I see...

In nature and in personnel,
the things we see...

Happen because things have
been moving below ground.

We just don't notice them,
that's all.

I won't keep quiet and think
of my pension like most do...

when they're shunted aside.

Hello? Oh, it's you...

Some friend you are!

Keeping your college
drinking buddy in the dark!

Word is you're getting it on
with Mrs Print!

You're a real piece of work!

Midori told me.

So are you and Midori...

Don't talk to me about her!

I ask her out and she brings
her damn kid!

Anyway, it's Mrs Print
I'm calling about.

About her?

She came in a few days ago
and asked me to keep her on.

And not just two days a week.

She wants full-time work.
Four days a week.

Might she be needing
money for something?

She looked a bit tired, too.

Do you know anything about it?

No.

You don't? Well, I just
thought I'd let you know.

See you later.

Yes?

An application, please...

Certainly.

Matsubara residence...

Were you watching TV last night?

This show said girls now are
crazy for middle-aged men.

Really?!

What kind of guy
would they like?

Well, we should make use of
the sharp eye of a woman.

Let's ask Ms Miyata.

Who of us would be
the most popular?

I don't know if
'popular' is the word...

But the one most likely
to have a girlfriend...

It's Mr Kuki.

That's not so!

It's the cell phone! I knew it!

I suspected something...

Mr Kuki gets the best part.
He needs his strength.

Oh, thanks.

It's been years since
I was in a love hotel.

Me too.

One where the concierge brings
tea and rice crackers...

She brings what?

No, love hotels are out of date.

So if by some chance I got
lucky, where would I go?

A first-class hotel, it seems.

An affair would cost a lot
of money... wouldn't it, Kuki.

It sure would!

This guy already owns
his own house.

His only daughter's married
and his wife works.

Money isn't a problem.

He's not like us guys
with mortgages.

To play around,
first you need money.

And then time.

Stamina!

To have an affair...

Without stirring up trouble
takes true, mature affection.

Can there be affairs
like that, I wonder...

Excuse me...

Hello?

Is that you?

I'm sorry I haven't called.

I'm happy you did!

Where are you?

My father's died.

They called us this morning
and told us to hurry.

A heart attack...

I didn't realize...

Keep your head up.

I will.

Still, it's good
to hear your voice.

I want to see you.

I want to see you...

For an hour, even 20 minutes.

If not tonight, tomorrow...

Sorry... can you call back
in five minutes?

I want to see you...

I can't tonight.
Please understand.

I could be dying
at this very moment...

- I want to see you...
- I can't!

I'll be waiting at the hotel.

Here you are, sir.

Thanks.

Did it happen all of a sudden?

Yes.

He was very good to me.

He was my step-father.

Step-father?

My real father...

left us when I was three.

My mother remarried
when I was nine.

He treated me just as if
I was his own child.

So you never saw
your real father again?

I don't even know where he is.

All I remember is him...

carrying me on his shoulders.

His shoulders?

I was still small.

I was on his shoulders,
holding his head.

I remember the warmth
of his neck...

The smell of his hair tonic...

No...

We won't do anything.
Just lay down for a bit.

I had a call from Kinugawa.

If you need some money...

I thought we might
talk about it.

Or if there's something
hard to discuss...

It's because I want
to see you, of course!

I thought if I had more work...

I could get away from
the house more easily!

I want you...

Please!

Just a little... I need you!

I do this for you.

It's all I can do.

No... I want you...

Make me forget!

Haruhiko's gone ahead home.

You'd better hurry, too.

I'll stay here with you tonight.

Well, it's a good thing
Haruhiko's a doctor.

He helped so much
at the hospital...

Life's so short, isn't it...

Father was really
very good to us...

When he was with me,
I felt so secure...

Be sure you take good care
of Haruhiko.

After all, you don't have
children...

Hello... last night was hard,
wasn't it. Are you hungry?

No.

I'm sleepy.

I'm very, very sleepy.

Um... thank you for all you
did for my father...

Yes...

What was all of this for?

Don't you like the way I do it?

What are you thinking?

How could a father like that
and your mother make you?

Toru, what are you saying?!

Nothing... sorry.

Toru wants kids right away.

Well, we went and got married...

Let's have some fun first.

Having a kid is fun...
Isn't it, mom.

Father was busy from
the day we got married.

He didn't have time for fun.

Or he pretended not to...

I have to visit the director.

I hope it doesn't
turn into mah jong.

A little mah jong sometimes
doesn't hurt...

Dad... be good to Mom,
all right?

You are good to me...
Aren't you.

What will the new year bring,
I wonder...

I want to see you more.

To be with you more,
and for longer.

But what will happen if we
go on like this, I wonder...

We'll go to hell.

Already? The new year's
just started.

I don't know about you,
but I will.

Acting like that
the night my father died...

Well then, let's go to hell
together.

All I'm going to think about
from now on is seeing you.

Kuki seems very busy
these days, doesn't he.

But he still seems to have
time to shop.

You're early.

Bread, celery, fruit...

A coffee-maker...

And...

Chateaux Margaux?

It's a dish I like...
Duck and cresson.

Then I'll like it, too.

Mm... it's good.

It tastes even better
when we're together.

What are you thinking?

Nothing...

If we could only be alone
like this... forever...

I know everything
you're doing, you know.

Where you eat,
what hotels you stay in...

His name, too, of course.

All in great detail.

Are you having fun?

What other mischief
have you been getting up to?

I won't divorce you, though.

Without a divorce,
you're still my wife.

Do you have any laundry
that needs doing?

Mizuguchi? Cancer?

It's spreading.

He doesn't know, apparently.

His family says it's best
not to visit just yet.

I see...

When someone our age
goes down...

You start to think you'd
better be prepared yourself.

They were going to shift him
out to Maron.

That's wiped out.

They've already moved
someone else into that job.

The reshuffle might have had
played a part in this...

The reshuffle?

It happens a lot. You move
out of the fast track...

You lose your motivation
and you get sick.

Guys like him live
only for their work.

Are you off to
the Diet library, Kuki?

Yeah.

Don't overdo it.
Moderation... in everything.

So this is the dope on us...

Looks like he hired
a good detective...

I don't know. I don't
want to know.

'October 8...

'After viewing a pottery
exhibition in Nishi Azabu...

'...the subjects dined at 'Kie'
in Ryudocho...

'...then checked into
the Prince Hotel.'

It's just like
a souvenir scrapbook.

It's natural to like someone
and fall in love, isn't it?

Well, you wouldn't fall in
love with someone you hated.

But once you're married,
it's not allowed any more.

Anyone except your husband
and you're 'immoral', 'loose'.

You shouldn't fall
out of love with him...

But people's feelings
change, don't they?

It you force yourself to stay
with a man you don't love...

You end up hurting him
and betraying him.

Is that all they can say
when I'm so in love with you?

That I'm 'immoral'?

You're so proper, yet
you have so much lust...

You're always so serious...

That lack of balance
is what I love about you.

Shall I say what
I like about you?

Is there anything?

That lust has bent you
completely out of shape.

I'm back.

Hello.

I meant to come home, but
I was with people from work.

I would've called, but I was
drunk and fell asleep.

You don't have to do
all this, you know.

All what?

Why don't we get a divorce?

It would be better.

I'd feel easier that way...

And you'd be free and clear.

Soon I'll be too old
to start over again.

But... why?

This is so sudden...
I'm confused...

'Confused'?

Remember that we've had
this talk, all right?

So you talked to mom...

What, you knew about it?

So what will you do?

Well...

She's serious.

To be frank,
it's a complete surprise.

Do you think all this time
she never suspected a thing?

Well, not exactly...

But a divorce?

She cried in front of me,
you know... just once.

But she's very strong.

She wouldn't want to
let you see.

That'd be just one more
blow to her self-esteem.

I wonder if she really means
to go on alone...

Well, she'll be alone,
so do all you can for her.

You've certainly grown up,
haven't you...

Yep. Slowly but surely,
I'm moving ahead.

Well, I'm going.

'Last summer an employee
of your firm, Kuki Shoichiro...

'...forced his attentions on
one Matsubara Rinko...

'...a calligraphy teacher
at the Towa Culture Center.

'Aware that she was married,
he telephoned her repeatedly...

'...and enticed her with
skillful persuasion.

'He then lured her to
frequent assignations...

'...and last September took
her to a city hotel...

'...where he prevailed upon
her to perform indecent acts.'

I'm very sorry.

I don't believe everything
in this letter, of course...

But since it's been sent,
we can't just ignore it.

It is true that you have been
intimate with this woman?

Yes.

The girls like you, don't they.

What would you think about
a transfer to Kyoei?

Kyoei Co.?

I know it's sudden...

I'm afraid your history series
is being cancelled.

That leaves you with
nothing to do.

Because of this?

No, of course not.

Take your time. Think about it.

It looks like I'm going to be
leaving you all.

The director has told me...

That as of April I will
be moving to Kyoei Co.

Application for Divorce

I called late the other night
but you weren't home.

Where were you?

Aren't you two
getting along very well?

The same as ever.

I hope so. He's been
such a help to us...

Mother...

I've

I've fallen in love.

I've fallen in love
for the first time.

Rinko!

Don't be silly!

You sound like your father!

That's right.

Even though he abandoned us,
a father is a father.

Of course I'm like him.

I didn't raise you
to be a tramp!

A tramp?

You're in spell to
the call of the flesh!

It's driven you crazy!

If I'm a tramp,
so are all women!

You just refuse to accept it!

They've finally operated,
and he's feeling better.

But the doctor gives him...

Three months at most.

Does he know?

No, I haven't told him.

I said they got it all,
and he's going to be fine.

You should wait till
you're completely healed up.

Now's your chance.

I don't have much appetite.

I've been rereading Shiki.

Shiki?

Oh, the poet... yeah,
you write haiku, don't you.

There's one about
waiting for dinner...

From his hospital diary.

As death comes closer,
it turns into...

The wait for dinner.
It's typical of Shiki.

He couldn't move even a step
from his futon.

He passed the time by watching
everything around him.

And still dinner didn't come.

And his final poem
is really good...

'Flash! A ray of sun
shines down on the tatami...

'and dinner is here.'

'Flash! A ray of sun
shines down on the tatami...

'And dinner is here'...

You're better than
I thought you'd be.

Hurry and get well.

Maron Co. Will be lost
without you around.

Don't lie.

You know better than anyone...

That companies are set up
so it's no problem...

if one or two people
aren't there.

Kuki...

I never played hard, like you.

I always thought too much
before I acted.

But if all that happens
is you get old and die...

Then you're better off
just doing what you want.

My mother found out about us.

We had words, and she said she
never wanted to see me again.

She said I was a tramp,
and I should be pitied.

She said what?

She's right.

My body has me in spell to you.

My heart, too.

So when you hold me...

I'm yours in spirit
and in flesh.

Now I've gone
and thrown everything away.

As a matter of fact,
I'm having problems, too.

What's that?

Read it.

This is awful! Who would have...

Who do you think?

No... he wouldn't!

So I'm being sent
to an affiliate.

Well, I guess
I brought it on myself.

Can't you say no?

If not, you could always quit.

Yes, I could.

You've thrown everything away.

Hold me...

Hold me as tight as you can...

I have something to say.

I was neither prevailed upon
to do anything...

Nor was I enticed
by skillful persuasion.

Keep well.

Have you gone out of your mind?!

No.

I am...

As I should be.

In Memoriam - Mizuguchi Goro

Yesterday he took
a turn for the worse.

No one from the company
made it in time.

Of all the guys to get cancer,
why did it have to be him?

Mizuguchi was a good guy,
good at his job.

Going to a wake, though, you
realize we're all the same.

Even if you're in the best of
health, you die someday.

The only difference is who's
early and who's later.

He left a final poem.

'Was there not the love
to burn up all the stubble?'

'a withered, fall field.'

'was there not the love
to burn up all the stubble?

'a withered, fall field.'

Yeah...

Love...

So how are things
with Mrs Print?

No matter where you're sent,
don't do anything stupid.

I called the other day...

The girl had to struggle for
an excuse why you were away.

If you get fired, want to
come lecture at the center?

We're doing well. We got
an award from the president.

That's great.

Work's all very well...

But I'd still like to
fall in love like you.

The older I get,
the more I'd like to.

However...

One false move and
you lose important things.

What important things?

Your job. Your family...

I've got cold noodles.

I've got the jumbo size.

Letter of Resignation

What's this about?

I'm an editor. Nothing else.

I'd only get in the way
over there.

Aren't you selling yourself
a bit short?

I'm not the one
selling me short.

Thank you for all
you've done for me.

Why not cool down and
think about this some more?

I have thought about this...

I'd like my resignation
accepted.

Yes, why don't you both
just go abroad somewhere?

Strike out together
with someone you love.

I'm glad you think that.

Midori! Come here a minute!

Anything can happen in life.

It can't get any better.

I'm happier right now
than I've ever been.

Happier than ever...

That's right.

But I'm scared. I'm too happy.

I wonder if it can go on
like this...

I'll tell you a story.

I was handling
this novelist once.

He was writing a story about
lovers committing suicide.

But this wasn't going to be
your normal love-suicide.

They were to die at exactly
the same time...

Clutching fast to each other.

If they hanged themselves,
one would have to die first.

The author talked to
a doctor friend...

To see if there was
a way this could be done.

And was there?

A drug.

It they took it, they'd be
sure to die simultaneously.

And after rigor mortis set in...

They couldn't be parted.

Well...

If I were with you,
I wouldn't be scared.

Shall we make love again?

Of course!

Do it so it's forever.

Forever?

Without end... forever.

Anything new?

The divorce...

I've decided to get a lawyer
to handle my side.

You've lost weight, dad.

You're looking well.

It feels like we're
a couple of strangers...

It'll be spring soon.

Thanks.

I'll just look upstairs a bit.

Thanks for these.

Well...

Take care.

Don't go!

Duck and cresson...

Our own very special dish...

Shall we go?

Yes...

No regrets?

Regrets?

None.

It's getting harder for me
to tell where my skin stops...

And yours begins.

It's become right for us
to be stuck together.

No one will be able
to separate us.

I'm not afraid...

No more.

Nor me.

As long as I'm with you,
I'm not afraid.

When I was seven, I got lost
in a lotus field.

The sun was going down...
I was so lonely...

When I was nine, my dad
bought me a baseball glove.

I was so happy I went
to sleep wearing it.

When I was 14, I first
wore stockings.

My feet were sliding around
in my loafers.

When I was 17, John Kennedy
was assassinated.

I sat glued to the TV.

When I was 25,
I made an arranged marriage.

There was a typhoon
on our wedding day.

When I was 27,
my daughter was born.

I was too busy with work
to even go to the hospital.

38 years of age, summer:

I met you, and fell in love.

When I was 50, I first lost
my heart to a woman.

38 years of age, winter:

I am with you now,
and always will be...

Forever.

Forever.

Postmortem Examination

Coroner's report on the
deaths of Kuki Shoichiro...

And Matsubara Rinko.

The couple was found nude,
in a tight coital embrace.

Due to the effects
of rigor mortis...

They were separated only
with great difficulty.

Bodies are very rarely found
in this situation.

Cause of death: Suffocation
from poison mixed with wine.

Kuki Shoichiro - Yakusho Koji

Matsubara Rinko - Kuroki Hitomi

Alinugawa - Terao Akira

Matsubara Haruhiko - Shiba Toshio

Kuki Fumie - Hoshino Tomoko

Chika - Kimura Yoshino

Suzuki - Kosaka Kazuya

Yokoyama - Agata Morio

Muramatsu - Ishimaru Kenjiro

Ms Miyata - Hara Chiaki

Midori - Kim Kumiko

Also Featuring

Hayami Noriko - Logan peak

Inoue Hajime - Murakami Jun

Hiraizumi Sei - Iwasaki Kaneko

Nakamura atsuo

Production Staff

Executive Producer
Kadokawa Tsuguhiko

Produced by Hara Masato

Original Story by
Watanabe Junichi

Screenplay - Tsutsui Tomomi

Chief of Production - Nagai Masao

Assistant Production Chief
Sakurai Tsutomu

Photography - Takase Hiroshi

Lighting - Ono Akira

Art Direction - Ozawa Hidetaka

Music - Oshima Michiru

Recordist - Hashimoto Fumio

Editor - Tanaka Shinji

Script Girl - Morinaga Kyoko

Assistant Director
Sugiyama Taiichi

Directed by Morita Yoshimitsu