The movie is a bit boring at times, especially at the beginning and the time travel thing isn't done in a very compelling way either. The random rules people have to adhere to in order to visit the past just seem like excuses so the production could stay within its budget. It could have been done more creatively. There are some charming and emotional human interactions and stories in the various subplots, but not all of them are intriguing and it's a bit far fetched that it all takes place with the cafe as the center. It's almost like a theater play with different life lessons. So it kind of swings between nice and "could be better", but ultimately I did like it because like most japanese movies it's very wholesome and a welcome escape from the ugliness of modern western "culture".
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mister_bateman16 June 2020
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net_orders31 January 2022This is an off-beat, highly-original photoplay about a small, nondescript coffee shop (called "Funiculi Funicula") that offers a time travel (TT) service for the price of a cup of coffee. It has done so for quite a long time (the origin is a bit murky). Very strict rules (posted in the shop) apply for travelers. Trip durations are limited to the time the coffee (specially prepared and poured) stays warm; it must be finished before becoming cold. Disregarding this rule will result in a one-way trip with the traveler trapped indefinitely in the past (this infraction can also gum up the TT system). Travelers are allowed only to go backward in time (TT into the future is not offered--there are too many unknowns) and any changes made while in the past will have zero impact on the present (the latter neatly avoids a major theoretical problem with TT and timelines). The storyline's blending of tearful melodramas (there are several involving coffee shop customers and staff) with science fiction works well. Perhaps the most interesting scenes occur at the start and end of the movie. The beginning features a manic and hilarious set of scenes with fast-paced (and loud) dialog that serves as an in-your-face overview of what the film is about; the finale involves multigenerational TT in rapid succession to close the major plot loop. (Most minor loops are also closed here by over dosing on happy and feel-good endings.) Acting and direction are generally good. Clever staging and photography successfully hides most of the single-set, stage-play like appearance of the film. Lighting tends to be on the dark side. Subtitles seem close enough. Bolt-on music can be a major distraction with many mismatches between full orchestral surges and what's happening on screen. Overall though, well worth the trips. Viewed at the JICC Virtual Winter Film Fest. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.
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grumpyredrose22 July 2019As expected from Japanese movies, it hits your core and makes you cry.
The movie a good watch, it's kinda realistic having those rules that you have to follow to be able to go back to the past. The movie was straight forward and shows the different situations or events that makes people want to go back and re-live the past, even for just a moment.
There is small part of the movie which kinda dragged the story, although it was just a short part. Also, there was also a part where I felt needed some sort of explanation as to how it became. Reason why I gave it 9 stars.
Over all, it is a good film, it tugs the heart and the twist is unexpected.
Highly recommended. -
alexfrey-751476 November 2019Just watch this movies. this movies divided into sub story, there are 4 sub story. the acting was good, direction was good and also very different story. amazing story! I wipe my tears at the end of 4th sub story.. tears ..tears .. Most of mainstream hollywoods movies stories is just so bad an ugly compared to this Japanese movies... They should learn something from JAPAN !
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A unique, sensitive, touching and lovely film, with stunning visuals and color. This is a great example of the type of film only the Japanese can produce and it is carried out with great imagination and thought.
A must see. It might make you cry if you do. -
durham10025 September 2023... a movie captures the essence of the book and this does it so well. The books are fantastic, a real treat and so is this movie. It's pretty much how I saw it all in my head and is all at once sad, uplifiting, funny and keeps you interested. The acting is perfectly fine and the run time flies over. Some may say it is a bit "soapy" but it isn't overly so, though a lot of Japanese drama can feel that way. It certainly doesn't harm this production even if it is. I see there is a new version in production, if it is in the English language I think it will be a huge hit and the books will become even more popular. As there are now four novels it actually would make a very good TV series. I hope Netflix or Prime pick this version up soon, it is an absolute treat and people will lap it up.