My Fuji and Happiness Code
What a cool title. As you figured out, it’s a Japanese movie. “After moving in with his grandmother. Yakima finds his late grandfather’s happiness equation.” Intriguing description to say the least.
Takuma is going to college and like many kids that age, kind of aimless. Living with his grandmother unexpectedly leads to him finding his way in life. His grandmother gains a new lease on life too. It strikes me that we are meant to live in inter-generational households. But back to the story.
Takuma finds out his grandfather had secretly enrolled his grandma in the same college he attends as a special 50th wedding anniversary present to help her “achieve the dreams of her youth.” Takuma tells his girlfriend about grandma: “She’s definitely having fun. She’s even sparkling. Maybe that’s what it’s like to live your dream.”
Takuma ends up attending the same classes as grandma which is awkward at first but ends up being a good experience for them both. Takuma is worried about his future but realizes it belongs to his deep interest and love of coffee. As his girlfriend tells him: “Your eyes sparkle when you talk about coffee.”
“Of course, it depends on the beans and the roast but coffee made with care is rich without any unpleasant flavors.” His grandma encourages him: “but you love coffee, right? Then you should give it a try. It’s fun doing what you love.”
It’s infused with great nuggets of Japanese life wisdom.
“The flavor depends on the process.”
“Books are great. They make you believe you’ve experienced something you never actually did.”
“The chances of finding something you love isn’t that high, so if you have something you know you love you’re already halfway there.”
“You’ll never get confidence without doing anything.”
“If you really want to do something, you have to find a way yourself.”
“A true journey is taken alone.”
“You should want more in life.”
The movie is a love letter to a long beautiful marriage, blissful domestic life and Mt Fuji representing Japan. A lovely and touching movie.