Sosuke Loses His Lover

I wasn't prepared for this Wakamatsu. I know the 80s and 90s were a rough period for him and that he strayed from his original style to keep himself busy, but an art troupe dramedy is the last film I'd expected to see from him. I didn't recognize his hand in this film, but apart from that, it wasn't all that bad.

Sosuke is the leader of a troupe that travels from village to village. Star of his ensemble is Reiko, but she is a free-spirited woman. Even though she's in a relationship with Sosuke, she keeps running away with other men. Sosuke trusts her enough to return, but Reiko wants more than Sosuke can offer her.

The rural/Hokkaido setting is lovely, the comedy is amusing and the pacing is relatively high. The plot and drama aren't too original though and the film runs a little long, but it never gets too dull or dire. Decent and amusing, not the most notable film I've seen, but the fact that Wakamatsu made it does add to the intrigue.