**A mother’s attempt to salvage her son’s marriage.** Hirokazu Koreeda has a knack for consistently producing excellent dramas. If you're a fan of dramatic films and don't mind subtitles, chances are you’ve already seen several of his movies. I recently watched 'Our Little Sister,' and while it didn't completely wow me, I did find it enjoyable. I’m drawn to the realistic portrayals he offers, but those kinds of stories need to be carefully crafted—avoiding empty scenes and dialogue doesn’t automatically make something an art film. This one was considerably better. My initial reaction was just okay, but after some time had passed since watching it, I began to appreciate it more. The story itself wasn't entirely new territory; I’ve seen similar themes explored in films from other countries, particularly Hollywood. However, this film handled the subject matter with a greater sense of seriousness while telling its tale. The plot is straightforward, centering on a family struggling with a failing marriage. There’s an extended introduction that focuses heavily on the father and his past mistakes involving gambling. Initially, he seems like a decent man, but subsequent events reveal the depth of his problems. Beyond his family life, we're introduced to his work—he’s a writer who takes on private investigator jobs for extra money, misusing the opportunity with a loyal friend. Around the midpoint of the film, the focus returns to the family and the rest of the story unfolds. It’s a stormy day when they all gather at his mother's apartment, where tensions come to a head regarding whether or not the marriage can be saved. The mother’s final effort, seemingly well-planned, is what makes the film worth watching to see if it will succeed. > ❝I wonder why it is that men can't love the present. Either they just keep chasing whatever it is they've lost, or they keep dreaming beyond their reach.❞ Hiroshi Abe’s performance is undeniable; he was perfectly cast alongside Kirin Kiki, whose work I’ve seen before and have recently come to appreciate thanks to her remarkable performance in 'Sweet Bean.' The casting overall was excellent, as were the locations. I'm always drawn to films that feature older characters and explore their struggles, and many of the Japanese films I’ve seen on this topic resonate with me—perhaps because Japan has a larger aging population than most other places. Just kidding. The dialogue is obviously crucial for any film, and there were numerous well-written lines throughout. At one point near the end, it leans into sentimentality. There's a particularly moving conversation coming from an older, experienced woman that’s definitely worth paying attention to. It's fundamentally a family film. Despite dealing with a marital crisis, there are no unexpected twists or turns. The straightforward narration is quite interesting. True to its title and the role it plays within the story, this is where the film reaches its peak. With a runtime of nearly two hours, the pacing was acceptable, but viewers who aren't accustomed to longer films may need some patience. This film reflects life’s reality—we can strive for what we want, but achieving those goals isn’t always easy and not everyone succeeds. The message is about accepting that life moves on. The writing and direction are exceptional; it feels as if it came directly from a book, though it's an original screenplay. You shouldn’t miss this film from this director, because doing so would be like missing the latest Woody Allen film—only he’s a Japanese version. My final thought is that the director has already created some masterpieces, and this one comes close to achieving that status compared to international cinema. I'm not saying it is essential viewing, but it’s certainly worth checking out. _7½/10_

Source on TMDB