A quick, gentle comedy/drama/romance about a pack of blind masseurs working in a winter resort village, and their interactions with a woman from Tokyo and the other spa guests. It moves along effortlessly, and sucks you in with its light humor, emotional tones, and charming characterizations. The cinematography is excellent as well, with figures approaching or receding from the viewer, the camera gliding along corridors, and some intriguing cuts.

Having seen the remake first and just a few days after this, it's hard to consider them as separate films. What I enjoyed more from this one is the pace, it was more of short glimpses into the lives of the people at the springs. The uncle and his nephew, however, just didn't seem to fit as well as the remake, and the comedic scenes weren't as funny (Fuku hitting his head on the light, the aftermath of the fight, etc).