Director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi made me emotional again. His previous 'Happy Hour' remains the longest movie I've seen. It had 5 hours to hug my approval and persuade me that it wasn't a soapie but real life. This time, the 2-hour 'Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy' anthology sucked me in quicker and deeper.
Themes of failed love, loneliness and regret link three stories with different plots and characters. The first was interesting enough to keep me going but it was the middle and end segments that stung my heart. That was made possible through believably flawed characters and well-constructed dialogue.
There are no special effects, grand stage sets or bright lipsticks here. What is said is of utmost importance, as is the rhythm it finds (which is the combination of good screenwriting and remarkable acting).
In the theory of parallel universes, our infinitive selves have had sex with and married different people, been childless and impregnated many, died young and lived to be a century, been happy and depressed.
I use the above only for emphasis because the "fantasy" in this movie title is grounded in only the "What if?" part.
What if I had loved another and they had loved me? And the unasked, accompanying question is "Would I be happier now?"
I may now be wiser and more convinced of myself but what built me can never be erased. Psychology may shift bricks around, add another floor and paint, but all of who I have been is still here. I know this because 'Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy' unexpectedly touched me.
My older self doesn't indulge in wasteful contemplation but my younger self spent too much time reflecting on what outcomes different choices would have made. I was wonderfully reminded of those painful years. "Wonderful" because a good movie makes me feel.
Now I'm searching for the filmographies of the shining actresses who are unfortunately obscure. Such talent must surely mean there's more sincere emotion to be discovered.
Themes of failed love, loneliness and regret link three stories with different plots and characters. The first was interesting enough to keep me going but it was the middle and end segments that stung my heart. That was made possible through believably flawed characters and well-constructed dialogue.
There are no special effects, grand stage sets or bright lipsticks here. What is said is of utmost importance, as is the rhythm it finds (which is the combination of good screenwriting and remarkable acting).
In the theory of parallel universes, our infinitive selves have had sex with and married different people, been childless and impregnated many, died young and lived to be a century, been happy and depressed.
I use the above only for emphasis because the "fantasy" in this movie title is grounded in only the "What if?" part.
What if I had loved another and they had loved me? And the unasked, accompanying question is "Would I be happier now?"
I may now be wiser and more convinced of myself but what built me can never be erased. Psychology may shift bricks around, add another floor and paint, but all of who I have been is still here. I know this because 'Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy' unexpectedly touched me.
My older self doesn't indulge in wasteful contemplation but my younger self spent too much time reflecting on what outcomes different choices would have made. I was wonderfully reminded of those painful years. "Wonderful" because a good movie makes me feel.
Now I'm searching for the filmographies of the shining actresses who are unfortunately obscure. Such talent must surely mean there's more sincere emotion to be discovered.