In Part 2 there is a gradual shift from featuring dishes apparently unique to a remote community in northeastern Honshu to more of a focus on events in that community. Each seasonal film features about a handful of dishes that always look mouth watering. The ongoing thread bare plot meant to hold the interest of the viewer between dishes begins to thicken along with more hearty recipes. All story-line loose ends are (more or less) resolved in a rushed ending--except for a major one. Script is sprinkled with bits of ostensible "rural wisdom." Cinematography is excellent especially of food being prepared and cooked. Music is nondescript except for the closing credits of "Winter." Subtitles can become a bit busy, flash by too fast, and overly creative (like rendering "itadakimasu" as " bon appétit"!). Viewed at JICC/DCEFF event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.
Review of Little Forest: Winter/Spring
