Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2011

In general, Shinji Aoyama has been one of the leading lights of Japanese cinema over the past 15 years. He’s created deep think pieces like Eureka (2000) and the touching Sad Vacation and developed a reputation as a creative force in the industry. Nevertheless, the director has also gone badly wrong at times (2005’s Eli Eli Lema Sabachthani was unwatchaxble) and unfortunately, this work falls into that category. Koji (Haruma Miura) is a college student who photographs random people (often families) in the park (all in analog, naturally). One day, Hatsujima (Yo Takahashi) approaches him after he shoots a woman (Haruka Igawa) with a baby daughter and the man eventually asks Koji to follow the woman and continue to photograph her, in cognito of course. From this creaky and creepy beginning, the film delves into Koji’s life and his relationships with stepsister Miwa (Manami Konishi) and good friend/wanna-be girlfriend Miho (Nana Eikura). It’s the kind of work that bounces around from unconvincing self-introspection to city scenes with jazzy soundtracks to tragic situations with no emotional impact. Riddled with cliché, poor acting (especially from the male principals) and shopworn antics, the piece is devoid of atmosphere or dramatic intensity. We’ll wait for Aoyama’s next effort. (119 min)