Letterboxd — Your life in film

Cynically, one can see why this is the Hamaguchi that really broke through. It's runtime may be formidable, but it's a cakewalk compared to Happy Hour. Besides, Hamaguchi's loquacious character-driven set pieces are relatively pleasurable to sit through regardless of length even for the uninitiated. It's about things critics love such as "performing" and "grief" but doesn't go to the truly surreal places Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy does. And it may have references to Chekov and some time-jumping, but…

I mean, it’s cinema, baby. A familiar story told with so much flair and control. Cool music and quick cuts. Colors galore. Long, life-changing conversations in a diner. All about the rhythm of getting out when you’re stuck in a world where escape and individualism just isn’t how things are done. James Caan dominates this movie, and it’s a great role for him. He’s just a weird dude with a worldview and some skills, trying so hard to be his…