Credited cast: | |||
![]() |
Rena Komine | ... | Tomiko Tomonari |
Tadanobu Asano | ... | Tatsuo Niitaka | |
![]() |
Kotomi Kyôno | ... | Chieko Yamashita |
![]() |
Tomoka Kurotani | ... | Tsuyako Tukikawa |
![]() |
Kirina Mano | ... | Aiko |
![]() |
Reiko Matsuo | ... | Mineko Matsuura |
Kyûsaku Shimada | ... | Kuro-Tonbi no kyaku | |
![]() |
Takeshi Ikeda | ... | Tsuwaomote |
![]() |
Chikako Hon'ami | ... | Tsuyako's mother |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
![]() |
Wui-Sin Chong |
Tomiko is a conductor in a rural bus driven by the handsome Niitaka. Tomiko had received a letter from her best friend Tsuyako, a conductor in another bus company, just after Tsuyako was killed in a bus accident. Tsuyako wrote that she felt that her fiance and driver, Niitaka, planned to kill her. Tomiko therefore plans to take revenge on Niitaka. However Tomiko falls in love with Niitaka, even though she also suspects him of being the Tokyo bus driver serial killer, who killed his female conductors after tiring of them. Written by Will Gilbert
Based on Kyusaku Yumeno's novel "Shojo jigoku satsujin rerei", Yume no ginga (Milkyway of dreams) is a masterpiece depicting young girl's dream, and thriller of serial murder.
The film is shot like the old movies from '50s Japan, but the faces of the actors are unmistakably new.
Tomiko who is a bus guide hears about the death of her friend Tsuyako who was engaged with her fellow bus driver Niitaka. She hears about a rumor about serial murderer who is also a bus driver and suspects Tsuyako might have been his victim. One day, Tsuyako's ex fiancé starts to work in her bus company. Tomiko begins to suspect Niitaka might have been responsible for Tsuyako's death.
Yumeno has a dreamy style to his novel. The movie reflects his style, and the translation is done superbly and seamlessly in this movie.
You have to see this movie to appreciate its subtle artistry. Great suspense and mystery set on a backdrop of ordinary day to day life of a young girl.
Highly recommended.