Cafe Isobe (2008)

This show needs more love! Yes you're right, the title is deceptive because it is by no means a culinary movie. However, for those who are already downloading or buying the DVD for such purpose, I guarantee even if you wouldn't get what you want, you will be still satisfied by what this movie offers.

Cafe Isobe revolves around a realistic portrayal of ordinary but somewhat dysfunctional Japanese family that live a pretty mediocre life. A good-for-nothing father who got big inheritance and decides to run a cafe that makes him and her daughter encounter peculiar (but still realistic) characters. Do not expect any bombastic lovey-dovey with massive usage of cliches like in any teenage movies, though the main character is a teenager. Although it starts with comedies that you can find in everyday life, it does enter darker territory halfway into the story.

But it is the actors who bring their characters into life and are very well cast. If you only know Riisa Naka from crap shows like Nihonjin Shiranai Nihongo or Hachi One Diver, you got to watch this one and I'd say she can really act. Her character, Sakiko the daughter, needs someone who can explore character depth and even some improvisation, and yet she pulls it very well for a 18 years old kid. The one playing the father, I remembered him playing alongside Hiroshi Abe in At Home Dad, also very good. And who doubts Kumiko Aso's acting? She once again proves that she is a reliable and consistent actress.

At last, I give this show a solid point of 9. Nothing groundbreaking or spectacular, but it gives an insight on life of a commoner in Japan and the execution is very, very good - certainly movie festival quality.

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