Under the Open Sky

Nishikawa's latest felt like she took it a little too easy. It's a decent drama no doubt, resting on the shoulders of a capable cast. The film does little to distinguish itself though, and with a 2-hour runtime it was simply too predictable and safe to make a strong impact. I think it's fair to expect more from someone with her reputation.

Masao Mikami has spent the bigger part of his life in jail, most notably for Yakuza-related crimes. When he gets out after a 13-year sentence, he vows to better his life. There aren't too many opportunities for an ex-con though, and Mikami struggles to find a job to support himself with.

Having a veteran like Kôji Yakusho is a blessing, and he delivers. But the film seems just a little too content to put all the weight on his shoulders. The cinematography's a little plain, the drama is somewhat simplistic and there isn't quite enough meat here to support a 2-hour runtime. There's a base quality here and the film never derails, I just wish there was more to it. Not bad, but somewhat forgettable.