La Maison de Himiko

Directed by Isshin Inudou (whose newest film, Go-Go Datte Neko Dearu, starring the very talented actors Juri Ueno and Ryo Kase, is creating quite a buzz), written by Aya Watanabe (30 Lies or So). Starring Kou Shibasaki (Dororo) and Joe Odagiri (Shinobi).

Saori Yoshida had always hated her gay father, who abandoned her mother. Stuck with debts, Saori spent her days working in a small painting company, eyeing ads that were looking for sex phone operators. One day she was asked to be a part-timer at her father's house for the gay elderly by a very handsome young man who turned out to be her father's lover. Desperately in debts, Saori agreed to do the job. There she started to build relationships with the gay elderly, who disgusted her, yet will there be a change of heart?

A charming little film.. It was surprising and pleasant to see Kou de-glamorized and looking like an ordinary woman. Joe Odagiri was as charming and as sexy as ever, playing a young gay man who longed for desire, a thing that has gone from his life which he spent caring for Saori's sick father, Himiko. Min Tanaka, who played Himiko, had a strong presence. He suited the part really well and somehow, behind the feminine robes that he wore, we could see the masculine strength and character inside, written in the lines on his face. The other colorful residents of the nursing home were quite entertaining to see, yet it felt like everything was too extreme and stereotyped. That aside, this heartwarming film about death, forgiving and choices in life is worth your time and attention.

8 / 10.