This is a subtle comedy that shows with charm and insight the social and personal dysfunctions that modern Japanese families find due to generational gaps and cultural clash due to the struggle to combine a Western lifestyle in a society that has deep traditional roots in their culture. The food scenes and food play an important role in the film, and appear as a bridge of communication between generations, and something that serves to amalgamate their differences.
The main roles are played by Naoki Tanaka (as Naosuke, the husband), Akiko Yagi (as Tamiko, the wife), Toshiaki Karasawa (Mr. Yanagisawa, the interior designer) and Kunie Tanaka (Tamiko's father). All of them are terrific in their respective roles, but Naoki Takana and Kunie Tanaka shine as the funny husband and the strict sbut good-hearted father, respectively.
The movie, however, has an uneven tone as the first part of it is mostly a light comedy, while the second one is much more serious and philosophical. I missed a little bit of equilibrium and fusion of both genres to get a rounder film. H
This is a delightful film that shows with humour and sensitivity the issues affecting inter-generational relations in modern Japan, very far from Manga, Geishas and other stereotypes of the Japanese culture we are used to focus in the West.
