Fujita adopts a dry, observational style reminiscent of Jacques Tati or Roy Andersson, making the madcap incidents and whimsical idiosyncrasies in his sketches seem all the funnier for being kept at such a cool distance

Full Review | May 7, 2009

This laconic artificially quirky debut from Japanese writer-director Fujita Yosuke settles for a rudimentary comic inspection of the dreary existence of a clutch of twentysomethings forced to reject their aspirations in order to face up to adult realities

| Original Score: 2/6 | Nov 14, 2008

A charming and funny tale of a bunch of sadsack losers piecing their lives together, Fine, Totally Fine combines slapstick and poignancy to create a gently beguiling romantic comedy.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 14, 2008

Picturesque in a slightly exaggerated, highly coloured comic-book style, the film is a little undercooked in terms of character and unpersuasive in its narrative. It's all quirks but no content of significance.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 14, 2008

The sweetness and good nature of this film won me over, after a slowish start. The leftfield vignettes and eccentric dialogue make for a taste that didn't take me long to acquire - and Arakawa in particular is a winning performer, in his goofy way.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 14, 2008

There are antics with fake ghosts and fish sausages - rather too many, but you've got to laugh.

| Nov 14, 2008

Like a plate of cinematic sushi, writer-director Yosuke Fujita's debut is an off-the-menu mixture of crazy comedy and bland romance that won't satisfy everyone. But it's certainly worth a try.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 14, 2008

It makes a refreshing change to watch a film about nice people where there is no swearing and laughs are gentle.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 14, 2008

Perhaps it's a tad overstretched at 110 minutes, but the film's performances and the sly, satirical tone are unfailingly attractive.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 14, 2008

A quirky romcom, bonkers in the way only Japanese movies can be.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 14, 2008

Likeable Japanese comedy-drama with strong performances and several funny moments, though it runs out of steam before the end.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 14, 2008