What is said is of utmost importance, as is the rhythm it finds (which is the combination of good screenwriting and remarkable acting). There are no special effects, grand stage sets or bright lipsticks here. That was made possible through believably flawed characters and well-constructed dialogue. The first was interesting enough to keep me going but it was the middle and end segments that stung my heart. Themes of failed love, loneliness and regret link three stories with different plots and characters. This time, the 2-hour 'Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy' anthology sucked me in quicker and deeper. It had 5 hours to hug my approval and persuade me that it wasn't a soapie but real life. His previous 'Happy Hour' remains the longest movie I've seen. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.ĭirector Ryûsuke Hamaguchi made me emotional again.

Viewed at the JICC Virtual Winter Film Fest. Lighting issues aside, highly recommended. 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. Many interior and night scenes are too dark. Hamaguchi's films are usually poorly lighted and this movie is no exception. Subtitles are brief, but appear reasonably accurate. 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. Hamaguchi integrates film and 'live theater' elements. Opening scenes are particularly clever and well staged. Director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi also wrote highly original story lines. The final offering (perhaps best of breed) is about lesbian relations past and yet to come. Next up is a story of student revenge on a university professor. The first tale involves inadvertent boyfriend recycling between best friends. Since the weird English-language film name seems to have come from a parallel universe, short synopsis' would seem to be in order. Each story (there are three) involves protagonists struggling to achieve something of major importance (at least to the characters).

We have fun at Somerset Retirement Community and Assisted Living in Longview WA.A movie that takes relatively minor matters and turns them into engrossing tales about coincidence. If they solve the puzzle, they can spin the wheel for a prize.ĭenise is doing her best Vana White robbing a bank impression. Residents call out letters to solve a phrase. Our activities director Denise created a Wheel of Fortune style game.

Wheel of fortune game for the elders