Ex-critic Makoto Shinozaki′s new feature is rich enough to seem like several films in one. At one level it′s a film about the trials and tribulations of old age - an urgent issue in Japan, where the birth-rate is slowing and the population is rapidly aging. At another, it′s a study of the meaning of friendship and trust. And at yet another level, it attacks the issues of brainwashing and total obedience as found in both cult religions and large, quasi-familial commercial companies. On top of everything else, it′s a tribute to several of Japan′s finest veteran character actors, some of whom haven′t been seen in a film for years. Less of an ′art film′ than Shinozaki′s debut Okaeri, this very enjoyable movie takes the form and style of a thriller to offer some not-so-conventional perceptions of Japan -- as it was then and as it is now. (Tony Rayns)