The Long Excuse Poster

The Long Excuse 2016

★ 6.736 votes124 min📅 2016-10-14

In Miwa Nishikawa's quietly powerful drama *The Long Excuse (2016)*, a bestselling writer, Kei Tachibana, faces an unexpected emotional void after his wife's sudden death in a tragic bus accident.

Director: Miwa Nishikawa

Cast

Masahiro Motoki
Masahiro Motoki
Sachio Kinugasa
Pistol Takehara
Pistol Takehara
Yoichi
Kenshin Fujita
Shinpei
Tamaki Shiratori
Tamaki Shiratori
Akari
Keiko Horiuchi
Keiko Horiuchi
Yuki
Sosuke Ikematsu
Sosuke Ikematsu
Kishimoto
Haru Kuroki
Haru Kuroki
Chihiro Fukunaga
Maho Yamada
Maho Yamada
Yuko
Eri Fukatsu
Eri Fukatsu
Natsuko
Izumi Matsuoka
Izumi Matsuoka
Kotoe Kurita

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Long Excuse (2016) about?

*The Long Excuse* follows a novelist unmoored by the sudden death of his wife, who finds himself drawn into the life of a widowed factory worker raising four children alone. Far from a typical tale of mourning, the story unfolds around their shared journey of confronting grief—not through grand declarations, but through quiet moments of connection and unexpected compassion.

Who directed The Long Excuse?

The film was directed by Miwa Nishikawa, a Japanese filmmaker known for her intimate character dramas that explore the complexities of human relationships.

Who stars in The Long Excuse?

The main cast includes Masahiro Motoki as the grieving writer, Pistol Takehara as the widowed factory worker, Kenshin Fujita, Tamaki Shiratori, Keiko Horiuchi, and Sosuke Ikematsu in pivotal supporting roles.

Is The Long Excuse (2016) worth watching?

With its thoughtful exploration of grief and human connection, *The Long Excuse* offers a refreshing take on the drama genre. While it may lack explosive moments, its subtlety and emotional authenticity make it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven films. The absence of an IMDb rating shouldn't deter viewers—this is a film that lingers long after the credits roll.

How long is The Long Excuse?

The runtime of *The Long Excuse* is 124 minutes, or just over two hours.

🎥 Trailer

About The Long Excuse (2016) — A Heartfelt Drama on Loss and Unexpected Bonds

In Miwa Nishikawa's quietly powerful drama *The Long Excuse (2016)*, a bestselling writer, Kei Tachibana, faces an unexpected emotional void after his wife's sudden death in a tragic bus accident. When he crosses paths with a widowed factory worker raising four children alone, an unexpected bond forms—not from shared grief, but from the shared absence of it. As Kei navigates the hollow spaces of his own heart while helping this struggling family, he confronts the illusion of control over his own emotions and the messy, human reality of loss and connection.

Set against the quiet streets of urban Japan, the film blends subtle humor and understated drama, painting a portrait of ordinary people stumbling through extraordinary circumstances. With a restrained yet deeply moving narrative, *The Long Excuse* explores themes of grief, unexpected kindness, and the ways we find meaning in shared silence. Masahiro Motoki delivers a standout performance as the emotionally adrift writer, while the supporting cast—Pistol Takehara, Kenshin Fujita, and Sosuke Ikematsu—bring depth and authenticity to their roles in this poignant character study.