Viewed on Streaming. Script = nine (9) stars; subtitles = eight (8) stars. Director Kenji Uchida (who also wrote the screenplay) serves up a hugely-inventive, hilarious story (actually multiple stories that converge into one) with stunning (and unexpected) plot twists about trading places by adults (not necessarily grown ups). Things usually turn out to be not as they initially seem. Principal characters include: an apparent contract killer (with an unique body disposal technique); a successful business woman (determined to apply a business model to the process of matrimony with formal vetting of candidate partners, milestones, progress reports, etc.); and a lay-about, good-for-nothing "actor" (sort of contemplating suicide as his final (and, to date, only) role). There is a feel-good, Hollywood-style happy ending for each (as well as for a cat with a walk-on cameo). One ending includes an unexplained car crash (an amusing context injudiciously edited out and/or not re-shot?). Uchida has set a hectic pace that makes the viewer wonder just where the two hours of movie time went! There are, however, a few hammy gimmicks (including an overly Japanese-cute one using the sound of a car alarm). The Director extracts Goldilocks (just-right) acting performances all round in part by keeping dialog realistic and to a minimum (screaming, sobbing, melodramatic scenery eating, and other typical (and tedious) forms of movie emoting have been banished). Cinematography (semi wide screen, color) is very good with consistent scene lighting and color that makes for near seamless editing. Subtitles are very well done (by a pro who really seems to understands Japanese and English grammar). A delightful gem! WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of Key of Life
