This is a great little movie, a real gem and an absolute must watch wether you're into fantasy or science fiction or not, wether you're into japanese movies and culture or not. It is a movie done with a very small budget and small group of actors basically in one single location. The script is mostly hilarious and moving at times, so full of inventions and situations and the characters are all extremely well crafted. The direction is purely virtuosic. Basically each two minutes loop is a non stop sequence and each one of them is different from the other. I do not want to spoil any element as it's important to watch it without knowing anything more than the basic concept. Believe me, I do not write reviews very often and if I do it's for an extremely good reason.
10 Reviews
A quirky indie film
mesaxi30 January 2024
I'd give this a 7.5, but I'm rounding up for being short and to the point.
This is an extremely Japanese movie. The look, the feel, the Shintoism, the soundtrack, everybody working together to solve a problem, the efficient production, and even the sci-fi element felt straight out of some kind of anime. It explores the idea of people in a small area being stuck in a 2 minute time loop, and takes a very light hearted approach on the subject. Even the darker moments are done with a bit of a smile. I particularly enjoyed the development of the main characters facial expressions every time she reset.
A joy of an indie film, but be ready to pay attention because it's almost all dialogue.
This is an extremely Japanese movie. The look, the feel, the Shintoism, the soundtrack, everybody working together to solve a problem, the efficient production, and even the sci-fi element felt straight out of some kind of anime. It explores the idea of people in a small area being stuck in a 2 minute time loop, and takes a very light hearted approach on the subject. Even the darker moments are done with a bit of a smile. I particularly enjoyed the development of the main characters facial expressions every time she reset.
A joy of an indie film, but be ready to pay attention because it's almost all dialogue.
Wonderful!
BandSAboutMovies30 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Directed by Junta Tamaguchi and written by Makoto Ueda, this is the latest film from the Kikaku Theater. If you saw Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes, you may have an idea of the strangeness and joy that they can create.
This story takes place in the Japanese resort town of Kibune and the Fujiya Inn. That's where a waitress named Mikoto (Riko Fujitani) works and in the middle of one day, she learns that she is trapped in a two-minute time loop along with everyone she knows. Yet they can remember everything that happens to them and can work together to try to escape.
Somehow, this has a similar concept to the first movie -- always two minutes of time -- but it goes in different directions and makes me want to see what they do next. What a charming movie.
This story takes place in the Japanese resort town of Kibune and the Fujiya Inn. That's where a waitress named Mikoto (Riko Fujitani) works and in the middle of one day, she learns that she is trapped in a two-minute time loop along with everyone she knows. Yet they can remember everything that happens to them and can work together to try to escape.
Somehow, this has a similar concept to the first movie -- always two minutes of time -- but it goes in different directions and makes me want to see what they do next. What a charming movie.
I Really Admire This Cast & Crew
Aman_Goyal22 January 2024
This movie is so entertaining and it's mainly so thanks to the chemistry between the cast and crew which evidently suggests how fun (and hard) the preparation would've been. It's like a theatre group enchanting us with their presence and talent at so many places. I really wish that I get to witness these actors and filmmakers (of the theatre club Tollywood) in numerous other projects.
This movie, River, while in no way was better than Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes/Dorosute no hate de bokura (2020), which introduced me to this awesome talent pool a few days ago (Nov 28th, 2023 to be precise), when I had lost hope that original, accurate, and entertaining movies could still exist.
However, this one was probably more charged emotionally, even though we only gets to see more of Mikoto and Tako, who makes it feel like a romantic comedy (but in a good way).
The plot device of time loop is okayish and isn't exactly explained as much as it could've been. Even the attempts to resolve the conflict were quite rushed, quick, and not at all came when stakes were high. At times, the repetition did seem a bit too much. Other characters could been shown more often than Mikoto's sole viewpoint everytime the loop reset. Would've loved more of that serial writer, publisher, and the duo who just ate rice and chatted (but even then they're funnier than probably everyone else).
It also had one of the best dates in movies and that brilliant reference to Audrey Hepburn-Gregory Peck classic, Roman Holiday (1953).
Overall. Better than most movies of present era. At least most original movies. Not among the best though, unfortunately.
7.3/10.
(Jan 22nd, 2024)
This movie, River, while in no way was better than Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes/Dorosute no hate de bokura (2020), which introduced me to this awesome talent pool a few days ago (Nov 28th, 2023 to be precise), when I had lost hope that original, accurate, and entertaining movies could still exist.
However, this one was probably more charged emotionally, even though we only gets to see more of Mikoto and Tako, who makes it feel like a romantic comedy (but in a good way).
The plot device of time loop is okayish and isn't exactly explained as much as it could've been. Even the attempts to resolve the conflict were quite rushed, quick, and not at all came when stakes were high. At times, the repetition did seem a bit too much. Other characters could been shown more often than Mikoto's sole viewpoint everytime the loop reset. Would've loved more of that serial writer, publisher, and the duo who just ate rice and chatted (but even then they're funnier than probably everyone else).
It also had one of the best dates in movies and that brilliant reference to Audrey Hepburn-Gregory Peck classic, Roman Holiday (1953).
Overall. Better than most movies of present era. At least most original movies. Not among the best though, unfortunately.
7.3/10.
(Jan 22nd, 2024)
Not beyond but inside
kosmasp24 October 2023
No pun intended - the filmmaker himself made a video that we got to see before the movie (Weird Weekender Festival in Stuttgart). He admitted that he is good with .. time! And if you have seen Beyond infinite two minutes, you know he is not lying. The question is, if you want to watch a movie that is similar to that.
While this is good (added comedy I reckon) and still quite twisted in a sense, the former movie is a tiny bit better than this one. That said, you do get new and original ideas with this one. And maybe even an explanation why something happens ... to a specific group of people in a specific area ... we follow one character for most of the movie. That said, we do get to see a lot of people besides her.
There are some inconsistencies when it comes to logic (especially when we have a "hunt" going on), but with a movie and an idea like that it is better to suspend your disbelief.
While this is good (added comedy I reckon) and still quite twisted in a sense, the former movie is a tiny bit better than this one. That said, you do get new and original ideas with this one. And maybe even an explanation why something happens ... to a specific group of people in a specific area ... we follow one character for most of the movie. That said, we do get to see a lot of people besides her.
There are some inconsistencies when it comes to logic (especially when we have a "hunt" going on), but with a movie and an idea like that it is better to suspend your disbelief.
A great screentime, the full 90 two minutes
xnicofingerx4 May 2024
Asian cinema. With pleasure. Not even 90 minutes. Absolutely.
The visuals are a journey back in time to the 90s of Asian cinema, especially because of the lighting.
To digress a little first: Scenes shown make a European somehow melancholy. Japan has preserved its traditions and culture, its identity. No alienation, er I mean "diversity" of course, no loss of values, quality of life and inner security through unpleasant religions or primitive origins. As if more and more pages are being torn out of a book that is hundreds of years old. Those who don't understand its written words, will never understand them, don't want to understand them or are generally illiterate, don't care.
Back to the point: The basic premise of the time loop is of course nothing new, but the extremely short two minutes here open up completely new possibilities for ideas. And the film is bursting with them. The entire running time is entertaining, consistently interesting, often funny, sometimes sad. Even for viewers with viewing habits that deviate from this cinematic origin, I think the film can be consumed without hesitation and offers a wonderful time in front of the screen.
The visuals are a journey back in time to the 90s of Asian cinema, especially because of the lighting.
To digress a little first: Scenes shown make a European somehow melancholy. Japan has preserved its traditions and culture, its identity. No alienation, er I mean "diversity" of course, no loss of values, quality of life and inner security through unpleasant religions or primitive origins. As if more and more pages are being torn out of a book that is hundreds of years old. Those who don't understand its written words, will never understand them, don't want to understand them or are generally illiterate, don't care.
Back to the point: The basic premise of the time loop is of course nothing new, but the extremely short two minutes here open up completely new possibilities for ideas. And the film is bursting with them. The entire running time is entertaining, consistently interesting, often funny, sometimes sad. Even for viewers with viewing habits that deviate from this cinematic origin, I think the film can be consumed without hesitation and offers a wonderful time in front of the screen.
Charming and Hilarious
alisonc-129 July 2023
Mikoto (Riko Fujitani) works at a remote inn located in the mountains north of Kyoto, where she has congenial co-workers and usually pleasant customers. While gazing at the river bordering the inn one day, she suddenly finds that she and the other inhabitants of the inn have fallen into a "time loop," where every two minutes she is inexplicably back at the river as if the previous two minutes had never occurred! Fortunately one of the chefs at the inn was a "science major," and he goes to work at deducing the cause of the loop with the aim of restoring proper time to the inn; in the meantime, all of the people there must find ways to cope with their strange predicament....
Two years ago, Montreal's Fantasia Festival (online that year) showed "Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes," one of the most hilarious films about time loops ever made; "River" is director Junta Yamaguchi's bigger-budget follow-up, and like its predecessor it is both charming and hilarious for the entirety of its short (82-minute) length. I don't want to say more because the film should be experienced with no preconceptions, so let me just note that you are unlikely to find anything more visually beautiful, with more exquisite and perfect timing from both the actors and the scenarios being enacted, anywhere in this or any other universe. Highly, highly recommended!
Two years ago, Montreal's Fantasia Festival (online that year) showed "Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes," one of the most hilarious films about time loops ever made; "River" is director Junta Yamaguchi's bigger-budget follow-up, and like its predecessor it is both charming and hilarious for the entirety of its short (82-minute) length. I don't want to say more because the film should be experienced with no preconceptions, so let me just note that you are unlikely to find anything more visually beautiful, with more exquisite and perfect timing from both the actors and the scenarios being enacted, anywhere in this or any other universe. Highly, highly recommended!
Two minute seasons
politic19837 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Junta Yamaguchi took time loop comedy to new levels of detail with the well-considered "Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes" (2020). Sticking with the two-minute time loop gimmick, "River" is a two-minute repetition, rather than eternally two-minutes behind, and again focuses on the complexities of time, this time the logistics of being pulled back to the same starting point, when your mind is moving on.
Set in the idyllic setting along the Kibune River north of Kyoto, Mikoto (Riko Fujitani) is by the river at the back of the inn where she works. Going about her daily tasks, two minutes later she finds herself back where she started. But her mind is two minutes on, fully aware as to what has just happened.
With the rest of the staff and guests also aware of this fact, they gradually start to piece things together, moving on from what they have previously learnt. The only problem: every two minutes everything reverts back to how it was before, so each loop only sees a little progress each time. So, they race is on to solve the mystery and get themselves out of this repetition.
The most notable thing about "River" is its setting. The quiet river of the inn is the kind of place you would happily spend repeating the same two minutes over and over. It is a relaxing setting for the chaos to descend on to. If you have to look at the same setting over and over for eighty-six minutes, Yamaguchi has picked a perfect one. And he makes the most of it, switching between seasons as the loops progress. This is a very relaxing watch.
Again, the attention to detail is there, carefully considering the logistics of the scenario. While focus is on Mikoto, the rest of the cast have to start from the same point too, and so all interactions need to fit within the two-minute window in real-time, despite the narrative having moved on. Shot in two-minute takes, this takes a lot of choreographing to get right.
Much of the cast have time pressures in their lives, and so the two-minute repetition allows them a good opportunity to think over their situation, coming to a resolve before the conclusion. A writer struggles with his story, but is allowed time to think where it should go; and two arguing guests continue their beef, but are friends again after just two minutes.
Mikoto herself has the opportunity to discuss her boyfriend's (Yuki Torigoe) secretive plans to move to France to further his career as a chef. In little more than two minutes, they have fully explored and settled how their relationship will develop. Unfortunately, this idea of being allowed more opportunity to think over situations is as close to metaphor as the scenario goes beyond being another filmmaking gimmick.
The ending itself also is something of a disappointment, feeling more like a sci-fi copout than an enjoyable conclusion that nicely rounds things off. As with "Beyond..." before it, logic is given greater focus over artistic expression. This is perhaps a weakness of films such as this: the method trumps the meaning. While enjoyable, you recall the technique more than the story, suitable for home-viewing with "Making of..." extras.
But this had me at the poster. The setting draws you in straight away, and you can soon lose yourself in the repetitive two-minute comedy sketch. Despite the chaos, this is more a gentle stream than a whirlpool.
Politic1983.home.blog.
Set in the idyllic setting along the Kibune River north of Kyoto, Mikoto (Riko Fujitani) is by the river at the back of the inn where she works. Going about her daily tasks, two minutes later she finds herself back where she started. But her mind is two minutes on, fully aware as to what has just happened.
With the rest of the staff and guests also aware of this fact, they gradually start to piece things together, moving on from what they have previously learnt. The only problem: every two minutes everything reverts back to how it was before, so each loop only sees a little progress each time. So, they race is on to solve the mystery and get themselves out of this repetition.
The most notable thing about "River" is its setting. The quiet river of the inn is the kind of place you would happily spend repeating the same two minutes over and over. It is a relaxing setting for the chaos to descend on to. If you have to look at the same setting over and over for eighty-six minutes, Yamaguchi has picked a perfect one. And he makes the most of it, switching between seasons as the loops progress. This is a very relaxing watch.
Again, the attention to detail is there, carefully considering the logistics of the scenario. While focus is on Mikoto, the rest of the cast have to start from the same point too, and so all interactions need to fit within the two-minute window in real-time, despite the narrative having moved on. Shot in two-minute takes, this takes a lot of choreographing to get right.
Much of the cast have time pressures in their lives, and so the two-minute repetition allows them a good opportunity to think over their situation, coming to a resolve before the conclusion. A writer struggles with his story, but is allowed time to think where it should go; and two arguing guests continue their beef, but are friends again after just two minutes.
Mikoto herself has the opportunity to discuss her boyfriend's (Yuki Torigoe) secretive plans to move to France to further his career as a chef. In little more than two minutes, they have fully explored and settled how their relationship will develop. Unfortunately, this idea of being allowed more opportunity to think over situations is as close to metaphor as the scenario goes beyond being another filmmaking gimmick.
The ending itself also is something of a disappointment, feeling more like a sci-fi copout than an enjoyable conclusion that nicely rounds things off. As with "Beyond..." before it, logic is given greater focus over artistic expression. This is perhaps a weakness of films such as this: the method trumps the meaning. While enjoyable, you recall the technique more than the story, suitable for home-viewing with "Making of..." extras.
But this had me at the poster. The setting draws you in straight away, and you can soon lose yourself in the repetitive two-minute comedy sketch. Despite the chaos, this is more a gentle stream than a whirlpool.
Politic1983.home.blog.
"I'm a bit tired.. Body and Mind"
daisukereds24 April 2024
More than a movie.. this is feels like an interesting short/project (one seemingly funded via MotionGallery).
You can see the amateurish cinematography, where you are reminded that there's someone behind a camera running around. The acting is good (for the most part), the characters energetic, the location makes the film, and the developments entertaining enough to retain one's attention. The OST is memorable and the ending a bit out there.. which makes it all a very particular and memorable experience!! Eloquent human-self centrism appreciated.
I've seen enough things (even Japanese) not to be surprised or shocked by the developments. But it is quite fun and some might even find it very different! Reason enough for me to encourage anyone into giving it a try.
You can see the amateurish cinematography, where you are reminded that there's someone behind a camera running around. The acting is good (for the most part), the characters energetic, the location makes the film, and the developments entertaining enough to retain one's attention. The OST is memorable and the ending a bit out there.. which makes it all a very particular and memorable experience!! Eloquent human-self centrism appreciated.
I've seen enough things (even Japanese) not to be surprised or shocked by the developments. But it is quite fun and some might even find it very different! Reason enough for me to encourage anyone into giving it a try.
River
henry8-320 April 2024
On a snowy day in a charming riverside hotel near Kyoto the staff and guests suddenly become subject to a time loop. As a result every 2 minutes time resets and they start their 2 minutes again and again from where they were the first time.
Whilst this may not have the humour, pathos and life lessons to be learned elements of Groundhog Day, it follows a reasonably similar path, it's just every 2 minutes. This makes it in some ways more fun as whatever they're in the middle of, they remember, but just have to start from the launch point - so lots of Japanese slapstick type humour with everyone screaming and shouting and running around. It's sweet in its own way and not without a few laughs and never really gets serious. It also offers a really silly conclusion and reason for the time loop. Pleasant enough.
Whilst this may not have the humour, pathos and life lessons to be learned elements of Groundhog Day, it follows a reasonably similar path, it's just every 2 minutes. This makes it in some ways more fun as whatever they're in the middle of, they remember, but just have to start from the launch point - so lots of Japanese slapstick type humour with everyone screaming and shouting and running around. It's sweet in its own way and not without a few laughs and never really gets serious. It also offers a really silly conclusion and reason for the time loop. Pleasant enough.
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