Air Doll (2009) 2022
Directed by
Hirokazu Koreeda
Made by
Asmik Ace Entertainment
Plot Summary
Middle-aged Hideo, a man living in solitude, finds companionship in an inflatable sex doll named Nozomi. Their unusual relationship thrives as he dresses her, shares meals, takes leisurely strolls with her in a wheelchair, and engages in intimate moments.
While Hideo is away at work, Nozomi springs to life, donning a maid’s outfit and immersing herself in the world outside their isolated apartment. Filled with curiosity, she takes a job at a video store and develops romantic feelings for one of her colleagues, Junichi. However, a mishap occurs when she accidentally injures herself, leading to a deflation that Junichi fixes with adhesive tape, bringing her back to her original form.
One day, Hideo unexpectedly visits the video store, where Nozomi serves him, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. However, he fails to recognize her. Her boss mistakenly assumes that Hideo is her boyfriend and believes she’s unfaithful to Junichi, pressuring Nozomi into unwanted intimacy. Back at home, Hideo discovers that Nozomi has transformed into a living being but is troubled by this change, expressing a desire for her to return to her previous doll form, citing human connections as “annoying.” Feeling hurt and rejected, she flees.
Nozomi seeks out the factory where she was created and encounters her maker. He expresses a belief that all dolls possess hearts, as he can perceive their emotional state through their expressions when they are returned. When she inquires about the fate of used dolls, he grimly replies that he disposes of them like trash.
Desperate to please Junichi, she promises to do anything for him, which leads to a tragic turn of events. He asks her to let out her air and then re-inflate her, reminiscent of their earlier encounter at the video store. While Junichi sleeps afterward, Nozomi attempts to reciprocate the kindness but, unable to find a plug, resorts to cutting him with scissors in a misguided attempt to help him. Unfortunately, her actions lead to his death, and in her devastation, she places his body among the garbage.
In her profound grief, she tears off the tape that seals her own wound and chooses to deflate, embracing the inevitable fate of being discarded alongside the remnants of their tumultuous love story.
Timeline
Hideo Finds Companionship
In his solitude, middle-aged Hideo discovers a unique form of companionship with an inflatable sex doll named Nozomi. He dresses her, shares meals, and takes leisurely strolls with her, creating a bond that transcends the conventional.
Nozomi Comes to Life
While Hideo is away at work, Nozomi springs to life, transforming her existence. She dons a maid's outfit, filled with curiosity about the world, eager to explore life outside their isolated apartment.
Nozomi Takes a Job
In her newfound autonomy, Nozomi takes a job at a local video store, eager to experience human interaction. Here, she develops romantic feelings for one of her colleagues, Junichi, adding complexity to her existence.
Mishap at the Video Store
A mishap occurs when Nozomi accidentally injures herself, leading to a deflation. Junichi finds her in distress and manages to fix her with adhesive tape, restoring her to her original form as a doll.
Hideo Visits the Video Store
Hideo unexpectedly visits the video store where Nozomi now works. Upon serving him, her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but he is oblivious to her true identity, failing to recognize his beloved doll.
Misunderstanding Arises
Nozomi's boss wrongly assumes that Hideo is her boyfriend, leading to tensions. He pressures Nozomi into unwanted intimacy, causing her further emotional turmoil as she grapples with her feelings for Junichi.
Hideo's Distress
Back at home, Hideo discovers that Nozomi has transformed into a living being. Troubled by this change, he expresses a desire for her to return to her previous doll form, citing human connections as annoying.
Nozomi Flees
Feeling hurt and rejected by Hideo's reaction, Nozomi decides to flee. This moment signifies her struggle to understand her identity and place in a world that feels increasingly complex.
Seeking Her Maker
Nozomi seeks out the factory where she was created and meets her maker. He shares his belief that all dolls possess hearts, hinting at the emotional depth of her existence, yet reveals the grim fate of used dolls.
Desperation for Junichi
In her desperation to please Junichi, Nozomi promises to do anything for him. This leads to a tragic encounter where he requests that she deflate and then re-inflate herself, harkening back to their prior bond.
Tragic Incident
After Junichi falls asleep, Nozomi attempts to reciprocate kindness by trying to re-inflate him. In a misguided moment, she resorts to using scissors to help him, which leads inadvertently to his death.
Grief and Regret
Devastated by the consequences of her actions, Nozomi finds Junichi's body and places it among the garbage. This act marks a turning point in her journey, emphasizing the tragic nature of her love and the despair of loss.
Embracing Her Fate
In profound grief, Nozomi decides to tear off the tape that seals her own wound. Accepting her inevitable fate, she chooses to deflate, symbolizing the tragic end to her tumultuous love story.
Characters
Hideo
Hideo is a middle-aged man characterized by his deep-seated loneliness and longing for connection. His companionship with Nozomi represents his struggle to navigate intimacy and emotional bonds. While he initially finds solace in their relationship, his discomfort with her transformation leads to profound conflicts.
Nozomi
Initially an inflatable sex doll, Nozomi becomes a sentient being filled with curiosity and yearning for human connection. Her transformation explores themes of identity and love. As she interacts with the world, her genuine emotions and subsequent tragedy paint her as a complex character caught between her origins and desires.
Junichi
Junichi is a co-worker at the video store who becomes the object of Nozomi's affections. His inability to understand Nozomi's true nature leads to misunderstandings and tragic consequences. Junichi embodies the confusion surrounding human and artificial relationships, highlighting the vulnerabilities of love.
Setting
Time period
The timeline is contemporary, reflecting a world resembling modern-day Japan. This setting allows for an exploration of themes relating to human relationships and emotional connections in a rapidly changing society.
Location
Video Rental Shop, Isolated Apartment
The film takes place in a blend of an isolated apartment and a bustling video rental shop. The apartment serves as a sanctuary for Hideo, where his relationship with Nozomi flourishes in solitude. In contrast, the video store presents a lively atmosphere, full of interactions and the potential for connection, where Nozomi begins to explore her newfound life and feelings.
Themes
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Love & Loneliness
The film deeply explores the contrast between love and loneliness through Hideo's and Nozomi's relationship. Hideo's solitude leads him to seek companionship with an inflatable doll, while Nozomi's awakening allows her to crave genuine human connection. The tragic events showcase the complexities of love and the pain of isolation.
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Identity
Nozomi's transition from a mere doll to a living being brings forth questions of identity and self-awareness. As she navigates her existence, she grapples with the expectations and limitations of her form, ultimately defining her humanity through emotional experiences, desires, and the consequences of her actions.
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Tragedy
This theme is woven throughout the narrative, culminating in a tragic conclusion. Nozomi's misguided actions driven by her understanding of love lead to irreversible consequences. The film examines the painful reality of love that can arise from misunderstanding, resulting in loss and heartache.
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