This was an enjoyable film on several levels. First, imagine one of the countless National Lampoon Vacation movies, but set in Japan and played less broadly and more realistically. Anyone who's shared the myriad experiences of a road trip with the family will laugh and cringe (probably at the same time)at the family's misfortunes (a traffic accident with a truckload of pigs, sleeping in the car due to a lack of a hotel, running out of gas, money and patience all at the worst possible time). However, for all the misfortunes the family endures during the trip to Hagiwara san's home in Shikoku, the key to this movie's success for me was the relationships between husband and wife, parents and children, and father and returning son. Very funny movie but also touching too. Highly recommended.
Review of Traffic Jam
