I Am a Cat: A strange, feline-eyed look at Meiji life

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like a quiet afternoon spent reading a dusty book, you’ll probably get a kick out of this. It’s not for the people who need a plot that moves at warp speed. If you hate dialogue-heavy dramas or are looking for a story with a traditional structure, skip it. You will likely find it tedious.

I found myself thinking about Mutts while watching, just because there is something inherently funny about putting a camera on an animal’s level. But this isn't a cartoon. It’s a bit more cynical, a bit more human.

The Cat’s Perspective

The cat is really just an excuse to sit in the corner of the room. It’s the ultimate voyeur. Most of the humans are busy being pompous, academic, or just plain weird. The cat just watches them stumble through their lives.

There’s a specific scene where the teacher is trying to act superior, and the camera cuts to the cat just licking its paw. It’s perfect. It highlights how little the humans actually matter.

Odd Little Moments

• The pacing is glacial. Sometimes it’s relaxing, sometimes it’s frustrating.
• The actors lean into that stiff, theatrical style that feels very much of its time.
• The lighting in the house scenes makes everything look slightly hazy.
• There is a moment where the family argues over a meal that goes on forever. It’s petty and brilliant.

I think the film struggles to keep the momentum going in the second half. It sort of drifts. Like a cat wandering off to find a sunny spot to sleep, the story loses interest in its own points. Does it matter? Maybe not. It feels like a real, slightly uneven memory.

If you’ve seen Pasteur or other period pieces from that era, you’ll recognize the way they handle the historical setting. It feels authentic, even if it feels a little claustrophobic. It’s not trying to be grand. It’s just trying to be a slice of life. Sometimes, that’s enough. 🐱