Tora-san, Wish You Were Here is a Japanese comedy-drama film that was released in 2019. The movie was directed by Yoji Yamada and produced by Hiroshi Fukazawa. It stars Kiyoshi Atsumi, Chieko Baisho, Gin Maeda, Ayumi Ishida, and Hidetaka Yoshioka in the lead roles.
The film is the 50th installment in the Tora-san series and is a tribute to Kiyoshi Atsumi, who passed away in 1996, and the franchise that he had become the defining face of. Tora-san was a beloved character in Japan and a sort of everyman's hero for many, and the movie is a reminder of his legacy and the impact he had on Japanese cinema.
The story of the movie revolves around Mitsuo Suwa (Hidetaka Yoshioka), Tora-san's nephew, who runs into his first love Izumi Takemoto (Ayumi Ishida), whom he had promised to marry once upon a time. Mitsuo had originally left home to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional boxer, but his career did not go as planned. He returns home to Shibamata and finds himself unexpectedly drawn back into the world of his family's Kurumaya Cafe.
The movie offers a nostalgic look into the past, as many of the old characters from the previous Tora-san movies make appearances. It also features scenes from earlier films and employs some clever tricks to blend the old and new footage seamlessly. Throughout the movie, we see Mitsuo reconnect with his family and friends from the past, and learn valuable life lessons from them.
Tora-san, Wish You Were Here is a heartwarming tribute to the beloved character that touched the hearts of millions of Japanese audiences. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Kiyoshi Atsumi and the Tora-san franchise, and a fitting tribute to the 50th anniversary of its creation.
