Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2010

©2010「ばかもの」製作委員会

This is the second time in less than a month that this column has reviewed a flick focusing on alcoholism. Sadly, Bakamono has little of the sensitivity and subtle use of tone of Yoichi Higashi’s Yoi ga Sametara Uchi ni Kaerou. Instead, we get a sprawling melodrama that takes place over ten years and winds up completely losing steam. Based on the book by Akutagawa-prize winning author Akiko Itoyama, whose novel It’s Only Talk was made into a successful film, Bakamono is directed by otherwise talented filmmaker Shusuke Kaneko (Summer Vacation, 1999; Death Note). Unfortunately, the story is overdramatized, killing any emotional resonance. College student Hide (Hiroki Narimiya) is drawn into a torrid affair with a sexy older woman Yuki (Yuki Uchida), but he’s crushed when she announces she’s getting married to a more suitable man. That begins a downward spiral into alcoholism. After a long battle and recovery, he again meets Yuki, who has been in a disfiguring car accident, with predictable results. Look for better work from director Kaneko in the future. English title: The Idiots. (120 min)