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One Million Yen Girl
百万円と苦虫女
2008 121 min Japan
★7.1
Drama
Director: Yuki Tanada
Trailers
Description
A 21-year-old girl is released from prison, only to deal with the neighborhood gossip about her and family conflicts. She decides to save one million yen, move to where no one knows her and keep repeating the process.
Starring
Yû Aoi
Actor
Mirai Moriyama
Actor
Pierre Taki
Actor
Awards
1 win total
Key opinion
This film is celebrated as a nuanced and life-like character study that captures the quiet struggles of a young woman navigating societal judgment in Japan. Through a gentle, atmospheric narrative, it successfully balances a melancholic, existential tone with a deeply human portrayal of growth and resilience.
| Acting | The lead actress delivers a delicate and nuanced performance that anchors the protagonist's journey from an alienated former inmate to a self-assured individual. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography utilizes a pastel, watercolor-like aesthetic that creates memorable, picturesque frames of the Japanese countryside. | |
| Theme | The film offers a profound insight into the social ostracization of ex-convicts in Japanese culture through a grounded, realistic narrative lens. | |
| Screenplay | The script features a smooth, synchronized structure that expertly avoids melodramatic miracles in favor of ordinary, existential life experiences. | |
| Score | While the soundtrack is praised for its atmospheric restraint, some viewers find it lacks memorable melodic hooks, reflecting its non-pop aesthetic. |