ALL ABOUT OUR HOUSE / EVERYBODY'S HOUSE (MINNA NO IE). Viewed on Streaming. Music = eight (8) stars; sound = seven (7) stars; cinematography = three (3) stars. Director Kôki Mitani (who is also credited as the screen writer) starts with what would seem to be an amusing preface filled with comedic possibilities (what may happen when relatives and friends are involved in designing and building an affluent couple's "dream house") and tosses in a clash between Western and traditional Japanese architectural/building philosophies/skills plus some heavy-handed Shinto lampooning. Unfortunately the result is not especially amusing, overly predicable, and flat-out boring (and much too long). Mitani is unable to engagingly execute his own plot line! Except for the music (see below), it would appear that the Director's anemic film has targeted the wrong audience: the movie would seem to appeal more to viewers of "free" TV than paying theater goers. Acting ranges from amateurish to workman like. The cast exhibits a serious lack of energy. Leading actor Naoki Tanaka (who plays the couple's husband) seems miscast (or is unable to fully mask his feeling that the film is a dog?). Cinematography (wide screen, color) is "TV quality" at best with most scenes consisting of medium close-ups and head shots sometimes with unfocused panning and very narrow depth of field (line deliveries can be made by characters in backgrounds who are not in focus!). Surround-sound field is quite good. Music is dynamic and covers a wide spectrum from classical-like snippets to modern easy-listening to light jazz. However, this soporific film can not be rescued (in post production) by simply having lively music on its sound track! Not especially recommended. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of All About Our House
