The second movie follows the same example as the first one, recipes, nature and a few story lines here and there. Of course, the scenery was beautiful in here as well, with the green forest and the white snowy landscapes creating an idyllic atmosphere, making the movie look like a moving painting. In this movie, the recipes had more meaning behind them, as they were originated not from the girl's past with her mother but rather had been triggered by a story from the past that had shaped her character now. The plot thickens with the girl interacting more with friends, co workers and potential lovers. The mother daughter relationship is here as well, but it never gets deeper than a few hints here and there for the mother's character. Finally, the ending was a bit rushed, with the conclusion seeming like it was out of the blue. So, 5 out of 5.

In Part 2 there is a gradual shift from featuring dishes apparently unique to a remote community in northeastern Honshu to more of a focus on events in that community. Each seasonal film features about a handful of dishes that always look mouth watering. The ongoing thread bare plot meant to hold the interest of the viewer between dishes begins to thicken along with more hearty recipes. All story-line loose ends are (more or less) resolved in a rushed ending--except for a major one. Script is sprinkled with bits of ostensible "rural wisdom." Cinematography is excellent especially of food being prepared and cooked. Music is nondescript except for the closing credits of "Winter." Subtitles can become a bit busy, flash by too fast, and overly creative (like rendering "itadakimasu" as " bon appétit"!). Viewed at JICC/DCEFF event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.

This is actually 2 films and the second part (Winter/Spring) is my favourite.

Most definitely one of my most loved films ever, I expect quite a few people will not get it and indeed I am shocked how little attention it has garnered.

It continues to haunt me now, weeks after, and after several viewings, it created such a slow burning set of emotions that even now I feel a lump in my chest when I think about... Just wonderful.

I am becoming a kind of disciple maybe, torn between trying to get as many people to see it and yet also fearing that most people may not get it, maybe I am in such a place right now that is resonates for me, while for others it just falls flat.

Don't watch if you need action and violence and sex, or a definite story with neatly tied up conclusions, though I found the ending satisfying and was enchanted by the traditional dancing.

What more is there to say, that would not needs hours or acres of screen space?