天国はまだ遠く Heaven is Still Far Away
Director: Masahiko Nagasawa
Well, on one hand I really want to like this movie, but on the other hand there were some problems that really bothered me. There was one scene particular at the end that kinda ruined it a little, for the most part this was a well-acted, subtle film about a girl trying to get her life together in the countryside of Japan. Then there was one scene in the end where it became really, unnecessarily dramatic. I also thought that the male hotel owner's story was a bit exaggerated.......but for themost part, the character exposition scenes were pretty well done. The first half was quite boring at times, but the second half was powerful and emotional...especially when you know the girl will leave. The cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, the shots of the countryside will stay with you for a long time.