Kosaku Igami (Koji Yakusho) is a famed writer, and father to three daughters. He was raised by a foster mother, but is in regular contact with his biological family.
As his birth mother (Kiki Kilin) gets older, she becomes a nuisance, and none of Igami's sisters want to care for her. Igami's daughter suggests taking her in. As the old lady's memory fades, Igami uses this last chance to learn about his mother.
Veteran actress Kilin pulls off some convincing acting. She portrays a grumpy old lady just right: her wickedness is innocent and lovable, and she doesn't overdo it to become a whiney old lady or a character tailor-made to elicit audiences' tears.
Chronicle of My Mother is a touching film that plays well on subtleties - there isn't an excess of emotional lines and there's no melodramatic background music. Chronicle of My Mother is intrinsically sad.
YP Rating: 3/5