Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2011

Japan has a special sub-genre of film that glorifies and praises the wonderful pleasures of food. These films seem to be increasing in quantity recently and numerous reviews have appeared in this column, including Chonmage Purin, a time-slip food film where a 16th century samurai is transported to modern-day Tokyo.

The present piece, based on a highly successful manga by Shigeru Tsuchiyama, concerns five prison inmates in one six-mat room, and their culinary adoration. Directed by Tetsu Maeda, whose School Days with Pig (2008) received perhaps more praise than it deserved, the action takes place on New Year’s Day as the prisoners play story-telling games for each other’s o-sechi ryori dishes. Naturally these food meditations lead to flashbacks of family and lovers. Gee, I guess food is important to everyday life. The meanderings are mostly melodramatic, and the insights pretty pedestrian. Add to this unfunny gags and expressions that are way over the top, and you’re left with a flick that has little to recommend it. Butoh legend Akaji Maro does shine as the gravelly-voiced old guy. (108 min)