I don't know where to begin; it was a rather enjoyable film. I probably wouldn’t have watched it if I hadn't liked the director's earlier movie, 'Quirky Guys and Gals'. It's a straightforward, low-budget production that surpasses most standard comedies thanks to the quality of its storytelling. The start wasn't great; when I began watching, it didn't hold my attention much. Maybe I needed some time to adjust—to get familiar with the characters, the setting, the type of comedy—and that’s especially true for foreign films, because sometimes everyone looks alike and comedies can feel very specific to a particular culture. Once everything became more recognizable, though, it was quite fun, and the second half exceeded my expectations. The movie opens with two separate narratives presented one after another. Fukuda, an early 30s, somewhat overweight man who works as a painter and is enthusiastic about his hobbies, lives in the Fukufuku flats. He’s an ordinary guy living a regular life, but he's kind at heart. Another storyline follows a woman of roughly the same age who discovers photography, and when things don't go as planned, her world starts to fall apart. The two narratives converge when these characters meet, forming a single storyline. They share a connection from their past, which the film explains. Despite that history, their re-entering each other’s lives shows how their destinies will change forever. > "Everyone ends up hurting someone > throughout their life." I've seen several typical Japanese comedies, and sometimes they don't translate well if you aren't familiar with the culture and language. This applies to films in any language besides Hollywood productions or your own native ones—especially dialogue can lose something when translated or subtitled. But this one was exceptional; it has an appeal that’s understandable internationally. It uses a common language of friendship, parents concerned about their unmarried children, forgiveness, neighbors, and more. All of these elements are supported by a well-written script and strong performances. It's an example of how a movie should be made—not just for local audiences, but for viewers around the world. If we’re going to discuss the acting, we should start with the title character. Fukuda was played by a woman, a comedian—I didn't realize it at first, so I waited and confirmed that a few minutes into the opening scenes. The other lead character, Chiho, was cute and perfectly suited for her role. Some parts of the storytelling felt slow or unremarkable, like looking at a blank wall. However, there were also some compelling moments that balanced things out. Overall, it was a satisfying experience. I think the director, who is also the writer, deserves recognition. The length of the scenes, the comedic timing, and the cool presentation during tense situations all contributed to making the movie more entertaining. It might not be seen everywhere, but it should reach film enthusiasts worldwide. So if you’re one of them, consider adding it to your watchlist. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB