Sheep in the Box

Kore-eda used from the children's story book to tell a relevant emotional adult story. He is a specialist in projecting adult emotions through the kids around them. I love it. Here also the robotic version of Kakeru is, objectively speaking it is an empty metallic container, a machine running code with no soul ,flesh and emotions. However, just like the sheep box in "The Little Prince" children's story, the grieving mother in this story, projects her deep desires, memories, and love onto it, and believes he is really her dead son who came back to life. In a way it shows AI/machine is not real, but its the humans emotions, imagination and acceptance makes it more surreal. But the ending of the movie also hints at the free will of AI and its ability to develop its own consciousness and ability to act for its own needs and desires. The ending can also be viewed as universal journey of parenting, where children eventually grow up, separate from their parents, and seek independence. But i feel it's more about commentary on the ability of AI to gain free will and break the chain of human ownership. That's why at the beginning it says in the near future. But what really did not work for me was, for the first time kore-eda failed to nail the deep emotions and making viewers fully invested in the characters. The film explores the definitive phase of grief, coming to terms and resolution of grief through the arrival of humanoid in their lives. At the beginning it is really interesting, but the story starts to get very jarring and loses interest in its own characters. It loses its process of healing and moves a lot towards feelings of humanoid. I kind of got the feeling , whether Kore-eda believes or encourages use of AI to heal ourselves artificially, instead processing complex emotions like grief in a more natural way, living with it, and cherishing the memories. Even at the end the way film raises doubts whether the film intends AI to be independent, like any human and have community and free will. I felt that was a very ridiculous thought to have and no amount of emotional blackmail can change that. This was a huge letdown for me.