Fuku-Chan of the Fukufuku Flats is an odd Japanese film, mainly comedic it shoehorns in mental illness, loneliness, romance and unbreakable friendships alongside mystery and even perhaps tragedy. It sounds Shakespearian and in a way you could say it is – but with a modern Japanese twist.

The pace is gentle and slow-building and of course you get what someone from my part of the world might say is over-the-top gurning and histrionics, but truth be told this is main staple of Japanese films, in particular comedies, so I must guess from a position of ignorance that it is a culture thing.

The film is a usual Japanese mix of comedic and insane situations with extremely odd buy endearing humans thrown into strange and confusing situations mixed with a calm and stoic sense of not belonging, not quite being in tune with the world they live in. Yet the world this sits in is not only odd but cruel and hard too. Not 100% Japanese filmmakers trait but a definite wheelhouse Japanese directors and writers live in. If you like this style or storytelling you will enjoy Fuku-Chan, there is a definite lagging and bagginess at the midpoint but not enough to detract from the overall story.

The performances are at worst ‘okay’ and at best particularly good. The main ‘central’ character is Fuku-Chan ‘himself’ played with astonishing insight and skill by well-known Japanese comedian Miyuki Ohshima, it would be a lie to say that I did not realise it was a female playing a man, certain ways of walking and postures, no matter how hard she tries does show through and perhaps she tries too hard on some male traits but overall a very successful performance. Why? Well, it does not really matter as it works but certainly I did not feel that Ohshima brought anything different to the performance or character that I could discern. This is not a criticism because as I said it works.


The supporting characters who orbit Fuku-Chan are played convincingly enough that you would are happy to spend time with them and be happy, sad and joyful for them, Even the most perplexing and mentally disturbed character is rounded enough.

Fuku-Chan OF Fukufuku Flats is an entertaining film that gives enough pause to make you think and ends on a positive note. It will not change your worldview and will not stay with you for days and weeks afterward but that in itself is not a negative. It is a well-made thoughtful Japanese comedy film that depending on your exposure to Japanese films and personal sense of humour will make you laugh or not. Hopefully, it might make you seek out other films from these sources and for me this is a good world.

Fuku-Chan of Fukufuku Flats is not a world-beater but hopefully it can open viewers to other cinematic worlds.

> The future is always there to fix the past errors.

I don't know where to begin, it was a quite pleasant watch. I would have not seen it if I had never liked the director's previous film 'Quirky Guys and Gals'. A simple, low budget flick, that betters any normal comedy with its quality of the narration. The beginning was not that good, when I started to watch, it did not interest me much. Suppose I needed time to get adjusted to it, like knowing all the characters, the backdrop of the story, the type of the comedy it is et cetera. Especially foreign movies need this kind of focus, because sometime everyone looks alike and comedies would be a thoroughly native brand. So after everything becoming familiar, it was quite a joy ride and second half was much better than I expected.

The movie opens with the two sets of narration told one after another. An early 30s chubby man named Fukuda, who is a painter professionally and passionate about his hobbies lives in the Fukufuku flats. An average, but by the heart a very kind guy leading a regular life. In another layer, around a same aged woman discovers her interest in the photography. When it won't go as she believed, her life begins to shatter. The two layer merges once these two people meet and forms a single line narration. These two have a connection from the past, the movie explains it. Despite their past, the reentry to each others present lives showcases how their fate would change forever.

> "Everyone ends up hurting someone
> throughout their life."

I have seen a few typical Japanese comedies, sometimes you won't get them if you don't know the culture and the language. This is the case for any language films other than Hollywood and your native ones. Especially dialogues won't be the same when it is translated into the other language or subtitle. But this one was exceptional that has an international standard appeal. The common language, the language of friendship, parents who cares for their unmarried children, forgiveness, neighbours, and many more. All the above, well written screenplay and equally supportive performances. An example for how a movie should be made, not only for the natives, but for the rest of the world.

Well, if we are going to talk about the performances, we should begin with the title character. The character Fukuda was played by an actress, a comedian. How I could I know that, so I waited patiently and got confirmed after a few minutes in the opening. The other lead character, Chiho was cute and perfectly filled the shoes of that role. In some parts the storytelling was dull as a plain wall. There are some compelling scenes as well that balanced the elements.

The overall product was satisfying. I think the director, who is also the writer of this film is to appreciate. The sufficient length of the scenes, the timing of the comedies, the cool presentations in a tension scenario, all these made the movie a better entertainer. It might not reach every corner of the earth, but must reach the world movie fanatics. So if you are one, just consider putting it into your watchlist.

7.5/10