Toronto. Sad Vacation.

"Director Shinji Aoyama made the brilliant 2000 feature Eureka, and this narrative both refers to the earlier film and builds upon it," writes J Robert Parks, offering a first impression of Sad Vacation. "I found the unwieldy story compelling, and the themes of parents and children, revenge and forgiveness are explored with verve, if not subtlety."

Shinji Aoyama "crafts a quiet, inward reflection of people living in the aftermath of extreme loss," writes Todd Brown at Twitch. "The end runs long and the final shot seems bafflingly out of place on first viewing but Sad Vacation still amply demonstrate that Aoyama is one of Japan's most distinct voices and greatest talents."

"Even Tadanobu Asano, who is usually way more awesome than he is here, can't save this meandering dross," writes Steve at the Film Experience.

Posted by dwhudson at October 2, 2007 7:49 AM