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So how could a simple little film about a couple of teenage school girls and their cell phones be one of the best films of the year? Well for starters it is made with the touch of a Zen-like master, whose brilliance of execution lies not in the spirituality but in the simplistic honesty. The film rings a universal truth that speaks on transcendent levels, and it does so effortlessly in the hands of talented filmmaker Jun Ichikawa. Ichikawa’s trademark minimalist style is again evident here but the film never wavers in its thoughtful and emotional force. The performances are excellent from the entire cast but the core of the film is the two young women (Atsuko Maeda, and Riko Narumi who is especially good). Ichikawa’s films rarely fail for me and I’d put this among my favorite (or at least equal to Tokyo Marigold and Tokyo Siblings).
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