Review: 'Rhapsody, Rhapsody' Struggles with Tonal Inconsistency
Director Go Riju’s latest film, "Rhapsody, Rhapsody," is a quirky relationship drama that attempts to blend romantic comedy elements with psychological depth but ultimately falters due to inconsistent tonal shifts. The narrative centers on Mikio Natsuno, a tightly wound trading company employee in his twenties who has never dated, reflecting broader societal trends in Japan where many young men remain single. Mikio’s uncle, a bohemian dentist played by the director himself, urges him to pursue romance despite his own history of failed marriages. The plot takes a surreal turn when Mikio discovers, while renewing his passport for a business trip, that his family registry incorrectly lists him as married to a woman named Shigeko. While the premise offers potential for both humor and drama, the review notes that the uneasy connection between the mismatched pair is difficult for audiences to fully invest in. The film highlights contemporary Japanese social issues regarding marriage and dating but suffers from execution that swings unpredictably between whimsy and psychodrama, preventing a cohesive emotional engagement with the characters' plight.
Wire timeline
Review: 'Rhapsody, Rhapsody' Struggles with Tonal Inconsistency
Director Go Riju’s latest film, "Rhapsody, Rhapsody," is a quirky relationship drama that attempts to blend romantic comedy elements with psychological depth but ultimately falters due to inconsistent tonal shifts. The narrative centers on Mikio Natsuno, a tightly wound trading company employee in his twenties who has never dated, reflecting broader societal trends in Japan where many young men remain single. Mikio’s uncle, a bohemian dentist played by the director himself, urges him to pursue romance despite his own history of failed marriages. The plot takes a surreal turn when Mikio discovers, while renewing his passport for a business trip, that his family registry incorrectly lists him as married to a woman named Shigeko. While the premise offers potential for both humor and drama, the review notes that the uneasy connection between the mismatched pair is difficult for audiences to fully invest in. The film highlights contemporary Japanese social issues regarding marriage and dating but suffers from execution that swings unpredictably between whimsy and psychodrama, preventing a cohesive emotional engagement with the characters' plight.
Latest articles - The Japan Times