Friday, August 03, 2007

The Matsugane Potshot Affair

People who are intensely focused on their own lives can come across as somewhat dim. The townsfolk in Matsugane comes across like this. Even Kotaro, a local policeman, is more focused on mice in the ceiling of his patrol base than solving a hit-and-run. It centres around yet another disfunctional family. Kotaro, his dimmer lay-about twin brother Hikaru, their separated parents, senile grandfather, overworked sister and lazy husband. Surrounding them are the local hairdresser (who dad has been shacked up with), her sexually available daughter and a couple of crooks (who have little trouble remaining below the local radar).

The crooks arrival and mysterious mission is the driving thread of this laid back black comedy, which is played very deadpan with no exposition. So we, the audience, have to work harder than is usual in comedies to work out what is happening, who is related to who and even to pick up on some of the ironies.

Ian's rating: 2.5/5

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