In “Trespassers”, we get a quirky and entertaining television movie from screenwriter Bakarhythm and director Itaru Mizuno, the same tandem behind the critically acclaimed 2023 comedy series “Brush Up Life.”
They introduce us to three middle-aged women who decide to break into the house of the owner of a housekeeping company where two of them work. Tanaka (Rinko Kikuchi) and Ogawa (Kami Hiraiwa) learn about a rumor that their boss commits tax fraud. Thinking of their low salaries and their boss’s false branding as an ally for women, they decide to steal the tax money which they assume is hidden in her mansion. They justify this act among themselves as fair, since they are lowballed in terms of compensation and benefits and they plan to donate two thirds of the money to charity. The two seek the assistance of Eto (Yo Yoshida), Ogawa’s friend who claims she’s an expert in heists only because she is an avid fan of crime dramas.
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The film tackles a central theme which makes the audience think: is stealing from the rich who exploit the poor fair, especially if a portion of the money will be donated? The inclusion of social commentary is one of the trademarks of its screenwriter. Bakarhythm, who often features the lives of ordinary people in his comedies, writes another cleverly-crafted story with quirks which are uniquely Japanese. The two blue collar workers talk about relatable and mundane topics such as getting by with a barely livable income. Even before the actual crime, their dialogue is witty and interesting.
The story is written and told into chapters which Mizuno directs excellently. Designed that way, it slowly hooks us in the narrative as we get to witness how the three unlikely thieves carry out their plan and encounter challenges along the way. Several twists are swiftly incorporated, which make the film highly unpredictable and enjoyable. As the chapters are revealed and the events which take place are shown from a different perspective, the audience will realize that the twists are foreshadowed and all the details serve their respective purpose.
The three capable female leads, Kikuchi, Hiraiwa, and Yoshida exhibit good comedic timing and chemistry. During the critical moments in the actual heist, they deliver their lines in a deadpan manner which adds to the hilarity of the plot. As we get to know and relate with their struggles and realize that they are generally good people (especially Tanaka), it is easy to hope for them to overcome the problems that they face.
“Trespassers” is fun and has a high rewatch value. Its unusual plot is like an anecdote which a viewer would enjoy telling his/her/their friends about. The movie is well-paced and has a 90-minute runtime, and the audience will definitely want to watch more of the trio and other characters, especially during the last chapter which would have been a good opportunity to extend the laughs. This production is another proof of Bakarhythm’s genius as a comedy writer, as well as his compatibility with Mizuno as a collaborator. With their track record, we can’t help but get excited with their upcoming comedy show, “Hot Spot” which has another hilarious premise.
