Viewed at CineMatsuri 2016. Director Yukinori Makabe provides a novel twist to a tale about the problems encountered by a family business with the sudden, unexpected death of its (in effect) CEO (chief executive officer). In this instance, the business is a small Buddhist Shrine(whose ownership has been passed down from generation to generation within a family). And the CEO is (or rather was) a family grandfather who was the senior monk or "Abbott" of the temple. A plan of succession apparently does not exist. Makabe's photo play focuses on the internal workings of the business as the sole, unmarried, adult, male family member is drafted and groomed to eventually become the temple leader. The Director seems intent on showing that monks (whether in training or after they reach an elevated position) are as human as anyone else. They have good days and bad; struggle to get a handle on unfamiliar roles via OJT (on the job training); and lead a life way beyond just chanting/praying by conducting weddings and funerals, providing (and receiving) advice and counsel to (from) their flock, dealing with temple financial matters, etc. There are scenes of partying and intoxicated drinking by monks (in the family's restaurant/bar), monk teams playing serious baseball (praying comes in handy here!), and wrestling with personal problems (such as the impact of prior to becoming a monk romances and the resulting temptations of one who has now taken a vow of celibacy). Acting is okay average. Cinematography (semi wide screen, color) and other technical aspects are fine. Score is bright and refreshing; not cluttered by superfluous instrumentation; meshes well with other scene components (by not drawing undue attention); and often includes concert-hall quality piano solos. With modest expectations firmly in place, this unpretentious film is worth seeing. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
