CHOKI / EYES ON ME. Viewed on streaming. Director Junichi Kanai (also credited as screenplay writer) delivers a compact, under-acted drama involving a lonely, close-to-middle age, childless, hairstylist, widower (now, perhaps, the most eligible bachelor in town) re-connecting with a lonely, traumatized young blind woman (a former calligraphy student of his late wife some 10 years ago) who is about to graduate from a high school for the blind and is seeking someone to turn to for advice/counseling/guidance while staying clear of her imprisoned, unhinged mother who traumatically caused her blindness. The plotline seems to progress smoothly from de facto adoption of an older daughter to something more involved until the mother becomes eligible for parole and wants her child-abused daughter to live with her. Kanai wisely resists playing (and milking) the handicap card. The ending is upbeat and hints at several positive possibilities to come. Directed acting is very good. Lead actress seems to be handicapped due to a dental deformity which forces her to play most of her close-up scenes from one side. (Perhaps the Director cast her, since she lives with a physical problem like the character she plays?) Cinematography (semi-wide screen, color) is fine. Lighting and color correction are okay. Sound is good with motor-bike looping being very good. Subtitles are close enough and often not needed, since dialog lines are short, sparse, and mostly slang free. Translations are incomplete: opening and closing credits are less than "bare bones"; only one sign is translated; and lyrics of the closing-credits song are not translated. Unpretentious and enjoyable. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD. Details: Film = 7 stars. Cinematography = 7 stars. Lighting and color correction = 7 stars. sound = 7 stars. subtitles = 6 stars. translations = 3 stars.

Every viewer of this movie will see the ending a little different but none will be disappointed. The movie allows each of us to see the characters how we each, want to see them. It is not a complicated story. Two main characters dealing with their own circumstances & grief in their own way. It is the connection between them that makes this movie interesting. You & I each get to decide what that connection is, in our own way. Rather than that being a weak point, it is the strength. I already decided I will watch this movie again. Should also say that you do kind of fall in love with the characters (even the minor characters) and care about them. I really recommend this movie.

This was a fun film to watch that made me sad, happy and hopeful during its short course.

I was so glad it ended as it should regarding the couple and they ignored convention and limitations and did what they had to do.

I need a sequel now to see them in each other's arms, making love and doing fun couple things.