Sleepy and dreamlike there's a hypnotic quality to this film as you live through the life of three rather improbable people. The flaws as is with many contemporary Japanese films in the last decade is that there doesn't seem to be a purpose. It meanders between philosophical introspection over social malaise in Japan to metaphysics. There's an art house ending and a "mystery" that comes as a surprise to no one. To be honest it feels designed for film school students even if it is well done.

Sublime.

A veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery slow movie. I thought the running time was FAR too long. I almost fell asleep. Yes the cinematography is nice, yes the images are nice, but it's just so boring. There's not really a storyline either. You'd have to be in a certain mood to appreciate this I think

I don't think the whodunnit subplot was an asset to the film, and several aspects of the story were a bit over-familiar and distract a bit from the naturalistic flow of the film. Manages to be an excellent film despite these objections; at 3.5 hours it's pretty lengthy but not needlessly so. Try to find time to watch it all in one go if at all possible.

I adore it. There are so many moments that make my heart leap with joy, that send chills down my spine and that make me feel like I'm about to explode with emotion (oh the tears, how they stream). Such a beautiful and staggeringly poignant and honest film that these mere words can never do it justice.