Fuku-chan of FukuFuku Flats

Fukuchan (Miyuki Oshima) has a generous heart, helping out his neighbours and co-workers with friendship and laughter. But he won't let his best friend (Yoshi Yoshi Arakawa) set him up on blind dates; in fact, he won't have much to do with romance at all. (It seems that his heart was badly broken when he was a fat school kid, and he never recovered.) All that changes when Chiho (Asami Mikukawa), a former businesswoman, now unemployed would-be photographer, comes into Fuku's life, bringing with her a whole new way of seeing....

This Japanese gem is light-hearted for the most part, although there are moments of whimsy and even pathos here and there. It is anchored by Miyuki Oshima's performance - she is a well-known comedienne in Japan, and playing a male role here allows her incredibly expressive face to carry the emotions of the picture beautifully. It is also very, very funny, and worth the price of admission of the curried rice scene alone; highly recommended!

I don't know where to begin, it was a quite pleasant watch. I would have not seen it if I had never liked the director's previous film 'Quirky Guys and Gals'. A simple, low budget flick, that betters any normal comedy with its quality of the narration. The beginning was not that good, when I started to watch, it did not interest me much. Suppose I needed time to get adjusted to it, like knowing all the characters, the backdrop of the story, the type of the comedy it is et cetera. Especially foreign movies need this kind of focus, because sometime everyone looks alike and comedies would be a thoroughly native brand. So after everything becoming familiar, it was quite a joy ride and second half was much better than I expected.

The movie opens with the two sets of narration told one after another. An early 30s chubby man named Fukuda, who is a painter professionally and passionate about his hobbies lives in the Fukufuku flats. An average, but by the heart a very kind guy leading a regular life. In another layer, around a same aged woman discovers her interest in the photography. When it won't go as she believed, her life begins to shatter. The two layer merges once these two people meet and forms a single line narration. These two have a connection from the past, the movie explains it. Despite their past, the reentry to each others present lives showcases how their fate would change forever.

"Everyone ends up hurting someone throughout their life."

I have seen a few typical Japanese comedies, sometimes you won't get them if you don't know the culture and the language. This is the case for any language films other than Hollywood and your native ones. Especially dialogues won't be the same when it is translated into the other language or subtitle. But this one was exceptional that has an international standard appeal. The common language, the language of friendship, parents who cares for their unmarried children, forgiveness, neighbours, and many more. All the above, well written screenplay and equally supportive performances. An example for how a movie should be made, not only for the natives, but for the rest of the world.

Well, if we are going to talk about the performances, we should begin with the title character. The character Fukuda was played by an actress, a comedian. How I could I know that, so I waited patiently and got confirmed after a few minutes in the opening. The other lead character, Chiho was cute and perfectly filled the shoes of that role. In some parts the storytelling was dull as a plain wall. There are some compelling scenes as well that balanced the elements.

The overall product was satisfying. I think the director, who is also the writer of this film is to appreciate. The sufficient length of the scenes, the timing of the comedies, the cool presentations in a tension scenario, all these made the movie a better entertainer. It might not reach every corner of the earth, but must reach the world movie fanatics. So if you are one, just consider putting it into your watchlist.

7.5/10

...very good movie; I do not see it as a comedy, but more like a drama with humor. Main character has always good pace, good feelings and see the best of the persons; even, when he has a not so good situation. -the movie shows that sometimes no matter how big your heart is or how good your intentions are or how intelligent or talented you are; in the times where we live and in most modern societies, how do you look is the most important factor...then the other stuff.

The acting is good; the scenes and plot roll alright.

All that with a couple of twists that only a Japanese flick can have. It s an easy going movie, so you do not be disappointed.