Following up on the success of his directorial debut “Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes,” Junta Yamaguchi again reinstates time as a plot element in his newest film, “River.” The original Japanese title translates to “River, don't drift away.” Similarly, two minutes are utilized for the sci-fi elements, though in a different manner than previously. Returning alongside Yamaguchi is screenwriter Makoto Ueda, along with some of the cast of the filmmaker's previous movie. Like before, the feature is made on a low budget, though with noticeably higher production values. “River” would be met with positive reception, further boosting Yamaguchi's popularity amongst audiences.
“River” is screening at Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival
The narrative is set during winter in Kibune, Kyoto, at a traditional Japanese inn, with a river behind the establishment. One day, surrealism ensues when the people in the area find themselves trapped in a time loop that resets every two minutes with no escape. The folks affected by this become aware of what is happening and are determined to find the cause and how to get out of the continuous reset. Along with this goal, all of them, including the inn employees and guests, reflect on their struggles.
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“River” is a film that shows that creativity can be accomplished on a low budget. There are commendable filmmaking efforts paired with excellent writing. The concept of people trapped in a two-minute time loop is creative. It makes for an entertaining experience to see these characters handle it while communicating with one another, along with funny humor. With each reset, the situation becomes far more drastic as it takes a toll on the folks affected, which does help add stakes and intensity to the story. It helps that sci-fi elements are creatively done through filmmaking techniques with precise editing and cinematography.
Additionally, the strength of “River” also lies in what it says about human relations and the passing of time. The idea is that time constantly flows like a river and what people have done through those moments while having goals set for the future. As much as many may want to go back and change things in the past or see a future outcome in advance, that isn't the case. Regardless, people can still work towards positive results. These story elements add a real relatability to the movie. Viewers see different people coming together to collaborate and solve a common issue. Yet, the audience also gets to see these people assess themselves through their conflicts, whether related to the past, present, or future. Mikoto, who works at the inn, is sad about her coworker and romantic crush, Taku, planning to move to France. There are also interesting guests in the traditional setting, such as a writer creatively struggling with where to take his latest story with an approaching deadline. Strong writing, along with great directing, helps make this movie not only entertaining but also heartwarming.
The characters are memorable, with unique personalities and their own stories besides the main plot. They feel like real people, certainly helped by charismatic performances. The actors play off each other marvelously, adding to the entertainment value and establishing believability to an otherwise fantastic concept. Riko Fujitani is great as Mikoto and brings a lot of realism to her character, and her interactions with her coworkers and the inn guests are fun to watch. Her chemistry with Yuki Torigoe, who plays her romantic interest Taku, is also endearing.
The technical aspects of “River” are impressive. With a slightly bigger budget than his previous film, Junta Yamaguchi has a larger setting to explore, and he and his production team don't disappoint. The inn and the small village surrounding the location are just as prominent to the enriching experience, and the audience gets to explore all of it along with the film's characters. Then there's the cinematography by Kazunari Kawagoe. Firstly, it is an impressively shot film with terrific editing. Yet, it becomes more commendable considering the many long takes composed every two minutes in the continuous time loop. The whole crew certainly deserves praise for their contributions to filmmaking challenges here. Koji Takimoto's music score is appropriately incorporated, and the end song “Smile” by Quruli is a nice tune.
Junta Yamaguchi has succeeded in directing another outstanding film. Clever and engaging, “River” is entertaining from start to finish. It balances humor and sci-fi, greatly enhanced by a strong screenplay and solid performances, while it also manages to be surprisingly heartwarming. In addition, it is creative with its concepts and filmmaking techniques, demonstrating how creativity can be accomplished on a low budget. It's fun to picture how Yamaguchi will continue to play with time in future projects.
