A film that seems to try hard for relevancy and misses by a country mile. It fails to "click" for a number of reasons including: relying on not especially likeable characters the audience can relate to (marginal acting and poor direction); a blur of mini plots mixed together like a pot of recycled TV episodes (some of which are hard to swallow); a weak, rambling script (the Director is also credited as a co-writer); it is stretched out with padded scenes and superfluous scenes of eating (lots of eating); and a pace that is super slow (undisciplined editing). All in all, an unimaginative, soporific, and ultimately disappointing movie. Cinematography is by the book and undistinguishable; scene lighting seems okay. Music is nondescript especially what passes for rock from the distant pass. Subtitles often lack accuracy (the translator needs to revisit the meaning of "itadakimasu" among other things) and can be overly busy. Not recommended. Viewed at a JICC Virtual J-film event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.