A movie that takes relatively minor matters and turns them into engrossing tales about coincidence. Each story (there are three) involves protagonists struggling to achieve something of major importance (at least to the characters). Since the weird English-language film name seems to have come from a parallel universe, short synopsis' would seem to be in order. The first tale involves inadvertent boyfriend recycling between best friends. Next up is a story of student revenge on a university professor. The final offering (perhaps best of breed) is about lesbian relations past and yet to come. Direction and acting are excellent. Director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi also wrote highly original story lines. Opening scenes are particularly clever and well staged. Hamaguchi integrates film and "live theater" elements. The latter involve the use of long scenes (about five minutes or more) to reveal details of what is really going on and to explore what might be emerging. Music is minimal (limited to a piano). Subtitles are brief, but appear reasonably accurate. Closing credits are not translated. Hamaguchi's films are usually poorly lighted and this movie is no exception. Many interior and night scenes are too dark. This is especially the case for the first story which includes a long, plot-critical scene where the principle actresses can be heard but rarely seen in the gloom of a taxi. Lighting issues aside, highly recommended. Viewed at the JICC Virtual Winter Film Fest. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.
Review of Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
