User Reviews

...seems that the first commentator does not have an idea of Japanese cinema or even the construction of a movie. Sorry for the harsh words, but do not know why you decide to comment about movies, if you do not discern even the story line...

-One of the things that the director is showing is the fact that communication is everything in a relationship so if you cannot stand some situations for one reason or another, would be very difficult to carry on with a successful marriage. The point of views are based on four examples of a marriage in the different stages of life. The strange behavior of the main wife is based on what she found as a fortress to manage the death of her Mother when she was a child and to bring some better moments to her Father in those difficult days. Kind of a refuge constructed on great Literature of the XIX century. All these relationships are between people that tried hard to keep on going but at some point is not up to you only; may be the destiny and dead is working against one of the parts involved too. The firsts half an hour is somewhat bland then the rest grows slowly but consistent so if you pass that and dive around some subtleties you would finish with something that provides hope. No doubt that all we need another person at our sides but many times this is not available for any body or is a harsh road. We as human beings struggle all our life with some type of relation, losing the energy, stressing out us then we are dead...is evident that we do not like to live alone all our life.

This is a really stimulating film. At a superficial glance it appears to be a bit slow and uncertain but it has so many facets to it that it holds the attention and then reveals more as it progresses.

The title is an initial hook and when the metaphor plays out it's like a strange Japanese game show taken to literally. But it is a metaphor about the difficulties of navigating married life. The central idea is demonstrated in a series of crises.

At this stage it is interesting how the men react: they are mystified and concerned. It's more likely that in a Western movie - and one that is a sort of romantic comedy like this - they'd be angry and go out and get drunk. The Japanese males are shown confused, sensitive and troubled by the turn of events, discussing what it means and why.

Further on the characters work out their ideas of married life and love from female and male perspectives; of expectations and changes in the relationship over time.

This is considered, as if from a novel, and it is true that the pace of the film could be a bit quicker, though it does resolve its ideas in other scenes as the story expands.

The idea of death as am articulation of love is explained in Japanese terms which puts the film together. This is stated as a fact, where it is a long held social myth, which has been accepted as fact. Nevertheless, it makes the film a genuinely interesting experience from a cultural angle.

One other intriguing aspect is the soundtrack which is reminiscent of an early '70s rock, with touches of a Beatles' Abbey Road sound a times; an unusual choice given the themes and story, but also made it stand out.

This is slow but cute. The story was a little too simple, but the wife really got so many amazing and creative ideas pretending to be dead xD

Alright, well with a movie title such as "When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to be Dead" (aka "Ie ni kaeru to tsuma ga kanarazu shinda furi o shite imasu"), I must admit that I had initially expected something quite else and something more humorous than the movie actually turned out to be.

With that being said, don't get me wrong, because director Toshio Lee does deliver somewhat of an entertaining movie, just not exactly what I had expected.

The storyline told in "When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to be Dead" was different, I will give that much credit to writers K. Kajunsky, Ichida and Aya Tsubota. The movie was definitely unlike anything I had ever seen before, for better or worse. As such, the movie might not readily fall into good liking with all people in the audience, as it can be something of an acquired taste.

The cast in the movie, albeit being a small cast, actually carried the movie quite well. The two leads held by Ken Yasuda and Nana Eikura actually carried the movie phenomenally. I can't claim to be overly familiar with either of them, and since I enjoy watched unfamiliar talents on the screen, this was a pure treat for me. Especially since they had such good chemistry on the screen and they both performed quite well in the movie.

"When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to be Dead" can feel somewhat like a strange and oddly confusing movie, and it wasn't really before the ending of the movie that it dawned upon me what the purpose of the movie really was.

If you enjoy Japanese movies that aren't exactly mainstream and like watching a movie that offers something very unique, then "When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to be Dead" is a good movie to sit down and watch. However, keep in mind that the movie is not just readily suitable for just anyone.

Every day he comes home from work, his wife plays dead in all kinds of elaborate, creative ways, which makes him doubt and question the health of their relationship. That part of the movie is very cheesy and exaggerated, like no real person would ever act this way, except someone who's manic and not completely sane. But this only serves as a metaphor for all the little things that you learn about your partner after having been together for some time. The endearing things they do, but also the things that annoy you about them. The different ways in which both look at something, which can lead to misunderstandings. All that is part of being married. It's a struggle and a challenge sometimes, but a beautiful one.

The movie is a quite thoughtful and deep, but also wholesome and uplifting reflection on marriage. In the age of feminism sewing ugliness and disunity between men and women, this is feels like a candle in the darkness.

Maybe I had many expectations from "When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to be Dead". But, part of the odd "murder" cases, the story was just okay. It was blunt at some points as well. The main message that this movie wanted to come through was sweet and very moving, as the couple's relationship, even though wierd, it was realistic. The genre of this movie was slice of life after all. But, the movie lacked intensity and so the story didn't feel as good as it was. The performances, however, were good. So four out of ten.

In 2014, I was told by a friend, a Japanese lawyer, that the divorce rate in Japan, particularly Tokyo is pretty high. Even for the elder couples, after their children legally grown-up, lots of couples get divorced as they feel that there is no love among them from the first, its only children that bounded them (as mentioned by Jun's boss in a scene). This movie is a moving-romantic-touching ways in portraying these facts of marriage in Japan. The acts were all perfect and natural. The script is excellent in telling various problems in nice and slow pace. Even the "mistranslation" mentioned by other reviewer, I believe it was chosen to telling the audience that love or being in loved is not identical with the three words only, but it can translated into sooooo many various ways..

This film tells the story of a woman who comes up with a multitude of ways to play dead.

The story is light hearted, despite the topic of playing dead. It is more romance and drama than comedy. It requires a lot of thinking to make sense of her motive, and I can't say I have completely figured it out.

Hey there, fellow movie lovers! Today, I want to share my thoughts on a hidden gem that you might have missed: "When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to be Dead" (2018). Trust me, this quirky title perfectly captures the eccentricity and hilarity of this delightful film.

First things first, let's talk about the plot. The story revolves around the daily life of a seemingly ordinary husband who encounters the most peculiar predicament. Every time he returns home, his wife greets him with the bizarre act of pretending to be dead. Now, I know it sounds absurd, but bear with me-it's what makes this movie so unexpectedly charming.

From the moment the film starts, you'll be drawn into a world of absurd humor and heartwarming moments. The performances are spot-on, particularly the lead actor who perfectly captures the bewilderment and love in his character's eyes. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at the comical situations he finds himself in while trying to navigate this unique marital dynamic.

One thing that truly impressed me about this movie is how it balances its quirkiness with genuine emotional depth. Amidst the laughter, you'll discover tender moments that explore the complexities of relationships and the lengths we go to make them work. It's a reminder that even in the most unconventional circumstances, love and understanding can prevail.

Now, let me share a personal anecdote that relates to this film. As someone who has been married for a few years, I couldn't help but see some parallels between the on-screen couple's unconventional behavior and the quirks that often emerge in real relationships. It made me reflect on how important it is to embrace the uniqueness of our partners and find joy in the unexpected aspects of our own love stories.

The cinematography and production design add another layer of enjoyment to the movie. The sets are colorful, vibrant, and visually appealing, creating a whimsical atmosphere that perfectly complements the story. Every frame feels meticulously crafted, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Now, I won't spoil the ending for you, but let me tell you, it's a satisfying conclusion that wraps up the story in a way that leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart. You'll walk away from this film with a renewed appreciation for the quirks and surprises that make relationships worthwhile.

So, if you're in the mood for a lighthearted yet meaningful movie that will make you laugh and touch your heart, "When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to be Dead" is definitely worth checking out. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Grab some popcorn, gather your friends or loved ones, and get ready for a delightful cinematic experience!

Happy watching!

At first I thought the plot was really weird but in a really funny way. Yet, this movie deals with really heavy emotions such as grief, feeling abandoned and loneliness. It reminds me of a song titled "It takes a fool to remain sane".