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Description
Mikami, an ex-yakuza of middle age with most of his life in prison, gets released after serving 13 years of sentence for murder. Hoping to find his long lost mother, from whom he was separated as a child, he applies for a TV show and meets a young TV director Tsunoda. Meanwhile, he struggles to get a proper job and fit into society. His impulsive, adamant nature and ingrained beliefs cause friction in his relationship with Tsunoda and those who want to help him.
Starring
Awards
Key opinion
This film provides a contemplative and humanistic look at an ex-yakuza's struggle to reintegrate into modern Japanese society after a long prison term. While Koji Yakusho's lead performance is widely lauded, the film's deliberate, slice-of-life pacing creates a meditative experience that some viewers find engaging and others find lacking in narrative momentum.
| Acting | Koji Yakusho anchors the narrative with a grounded and deeply compelling performance as the aging protagonist. | |
| Theme | The story effectively captures the prosaic and often difficult reality of returning to society after thirteen years of incarceration. | |
| Humor | The film utilizes a mixture of dramatic tension and light comedic touches to humanize the protagonist's quest for stability. | |
| Pacing | The deliberate, meditative pacing rewards viewers looking for a character-focused study, but leaves those seeking more dynamic narrative momentum feeling dissatisfied. |