This is a story of life-long bonding by three adolescent orphans. It also serves as a venue for an underlying feeling of impending doom that constantly lurks in the background in this finely-tuned sinister film. Dread of what? And how and when might it occur? The viewer can sense it (almost from the first frame), but the characters do not (or chose to ignore it?). Like an itch you are unable to scratch because you can't exactly find it, Director Yuichi Sato demonstrates a mastery of suspense building complete with a highly original surprise ending. The story line covers a lot of plot real state. Aside from life-long bonding of orphans, it includes auto repair detective work, yakuza custom service providers, corrupt politicians (redundancy intended), internet influencers. Room bugging, bombing, and symbolism (lots of this last one). The most memorial (iconic?) scenes occur in the middle of a pedestrian crossing on a deserted rural highway. There are several gaps in the narrative (intentional provocation or the victim of jump-cut editing?) as the story wraps up. Except for a bout of histrionics at the film's end, acting is okay. Lighting is poor during the last 1/3 of the movie--scenes are grossly under lit which diminishes the suspense buildup and is a major distraction. Subtitles often loose the struggle with spoken reality. Highly recommended. Viewed at a JICC Virtual J-film event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.
