Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2010

Sometime actor Yukinori Kameda takes a stab at directing an old fashioned mystery—and does a pretty decent job of it. In the grand tradition of Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen (both of whom are referenced in the opening scenes), Nigai Mitsu is an ensemble drama in which all the principals are gathered in a room with a self-effacing private eye who reconstructs a crime. A year earlier, Yuzuki (Tadasuke Haranishi) was accused of stealing a rare LP from the Beatles tribute bar where the group is now gathered. Unfortunately, the hard-luck Yuzuki has since been killed in an accident, so private detective Mikage (Noburo Kaneko) takes up his cause. As is usual with this kind of whodunit, the sleuth recreates the scene with reason and insight, and new evidence occasionally throws suspicion on the other cast members. The overall acting is uneven (fortunately, Kaneko is quite good) and some of the characters are a bit stereotypical, but the momentum generated by the investigation makes this an engaging film. A nice diversion for a rainy day.