Watches
May 31, 2023
A tiny Japanese drama that starts off pretty cute, but gets progressively more dramatic. It's a pleasant film with nice characters and some interesting takes on loss and mourning, but in the end, it lacks a little bite to set itself apart from so many others. It really is an overcrowded niche and one that is happy to stick to a formula that works.
Mugiko lives together with her older brother. She lacks direction and has no idea what to do with her life. Their mother walked out of them years ago, something that left a gaping wound. Suddenly, their mother finds her way back into their lives, and Mugiko ends up shacking up with her. While she wants to reconnect, there's also a lot of anger and resentment to deal with.
The performances are solid, the cinematography and setting are pleasant and the drama in the second half leaves its mark. It's just that there isn't that much here which could leave an indelible impression. It's a good, adequate drama that is sure to please fans of the genre, but if you've seen your share of Japanese dramas, it doesn't pop enough.