The setting is post-war Tokyo. The male protagonist is an eccentric young (thirtyish) writer obsessed with two notions: death and being cuckolded.
The plot is simple but not without some interesting features, starting with the pathetic writer Otani running home (comprised of wife and 2-year-old son) half-drunk, after stealing 5000 yen from a small eatery, with the owner couple hot on his tail. That leads to the demure, devoted wife Sachi volunteering to work in the joint as "hostage" until the money can be paid back. As the story unfolds, the wife is delighted with find that her natural endearing charm immediately makes her the darling of the patrons who lose no time getting into a one-upmanship contest of giving her the largest tip (which the generous owners allow her to keep). At this point, the movie appears to take the route of a slightly off-beat comedy.
More then is revealed about the husband, as a womanizer who manages to seduce every desirable woman that comes his way, including the wife of the owner of the joint. One of Otani's admirers, Akiko, has taken the obsession such an addictive extent that she has lost everything for him, and now comes to the joint most night to get drunk and hope to run across him. Further revelation comes with Sachi's change encounter with her girlhood sweetheart, now an established lawyer. The irony is that they broke up because during their deprived days, Sachi was caught shoplifting a scarf for his boyfriend, who deserted her when she was arrested while Otani, a strange, came to her rescue. Equally ironic is that Otani stole the 5000 yens so that his wife and child can have a good Christmas, a crime committed with similar compassionate motivations.
The story meanders around these relationships until it takes a decisive turn, when Otani and Akiko come to a decision of committing suicide together. The episode is handled with black humour, but has grave consequences. Both survive, but Otani is charged with attempted murder of Akiko.
It seem that in this semi-autobiography of Osamu Dazai (who actually killed himself two years after the story of published), the character Otani was custom-made for Tadanobu Asano whose work in the Asian cinematic world are too many to mention ( Last Life in the Universe, Café Lumiere, Zatoichi, Invisible Waves, Our Mother). Similarly for Takako Matsu as Sachi, the saintly enduring wife and mother. Ryoko Hirosue, who seems to be getting more versatile every time she appears on screen, gives a mesmerizing portrayal of beautiful, enigmatic Akiko.
The plot is simple but not without some interesting features, starting with the pathetic writer Otani running home (comprised of wife and 2-year-old son) half-drunk, after stealing 5000 yen from a small eatery, with the owner couple hot on his tail. That leads to the demure, devoted wife Sachi volunteering to work in the joint as "hostage" until the money can be paid back. As the story unfolds, the wife is delighted with find that her natural endearing charm immediately makes her the darling of the patrons who lose no time getting into a one-upmanship contest of giving her the largest tip (which the generous owners allow her to keep). At this point, the movie appears to take the route of a slightly off-beat comedy.
More then is revealed about the husband, as a womanizer who manages to seduce every desirable woman that comes his way, including the wife of the owner of the joint. One of Otani's admirers, Akiko, has taken the obsession such an addictive extent that she has lost everything for him, and now comes to the joint most night to get drunk and hope to run across him. Further revelation comes with Sachi's change encounter with her girlhood sweetheart, now an established lawyer. The irony is that they broke up because during their deprived days, Sachi was caught shoplifting a scarf for his boyfriend, who deserted her when she was arrested while Otani, a strange, came to her rescue. Equally ironic is that Otani stole the 5000 yens so that his wife and child can have a good Christmas, a crime committed with similar compassionate motivations.
The story meanders around these relationships until it takes a decisive turn, when Otani and Akiko come to a decision of committing suicide together. The episode is handled with black humour, but has grave consequences. Both survive, but Otani is charged with attempted murder of Akiko.
It seem that in this semi-autobiography of Osamu Dazai (who actually killed himself two years after the story of published), the character Otani was custom-made for Tadanobu Asano whose work in the Asian cinematic world are too many to mention ( Last Life in the Universe, Café Lumiere, Zatoichi, Invisible Waves, Our Mother). Similarly for Takako Matsu as Sachi, the saintly enduring wife and mother. Ryoko Hirosue, who seems to be getting more versatile every time she appears on screen, gives a mesmerizing portrayal of beautiful, enigmatic Akiko.