“River”

As a fan of director Junta Yamaguchi‘s 2021 indie film “Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes,” I was equally charmed by “River,” another sci-fi time loop story that’s just as irresistible. Touching and hilarious, this sweet dramedy is a delightful, lighthearted, and clever entry in the director’s filmography.

Set in the friendly Fuijiya Inn in a small Japanese village, the film tells the story of what happens when the staff and guests find themselves stuck in a “mini loop” of time, suddenly repeating the same two minutes over and over. The sake won’t get hot, and there’s a bathroom from which you can never leave. While trying to uncover the source of the mysterious loop, secrets are revealed, regrets are confronted, and morality is contemplated.

Keeping the story within the parameters of just a two minute time loop may sound like Yamaguichi and screenwriter Makoto Ueda are setting up insurmountable roadblocks that would be extremely limiting in terms of creative storytelling, but this duo is up to the challenge. Both are on their toes in terms of resourceful plot points to enrich their narrative, and the darkness of the story is balanced with an appealing touch of humor. This is a film with big ideas and themes, but it’s also a lot of fun.

The film embraces that odd sense of enjoyment you get from watching as characters realize they’re in a “Groundhog Day” situation that’s not just déjà vu. There’s the initial confusion, then the struggle to understand and figure it out, and finally coming up with ways to beat it. xxx once again casts the Kikaku Theater group, consisting of actors who work incredibly well together. Their performances are seamless, and their knack for both verbal and physical comedy is terrific.

What begins as a science fiction story gradually develops into a rich character study that’s quite sophisticated. And although the same two minutes are on repeat, the film never feels repetitive or boring. “River” is a total charmer.

By: Louisa Moore