Hand

A beautiful movie to look at.

I really liked how the look and feel of the movie was. In moments where the characters felt stuffy- you saw that in how it was shot.

In moments where there was excitement- you saw that.

In moments where there was sadness or heartache- you saw that.

It was really pretty to just watch. The directing was really good too.

The storyline was very much about relationships. Familial relationships and romantic ones. I was pleased to see the dynamics relayed subtly, but well enough to be understood by the viewer in a comfortable manner.

The acting was really good too. The actors really relayed the scripts & storyline emotions and ideas really well. Where there was youthfulness, you really felt it. It felt very real. Where there was doubt and questioning, you also started to doubt and question.

It was really good.

I think people in their 20s will like this movie; it feels quiet relatable.

I recommend a can of cold beer and fried chicken whilst watching in a dimly lit room on a Friday night after work. That vibe fits the movie so well.

First, a primer: The Nikkatsu Roman Porno movies were a series of films over the last half century designed to pass Japan's Eirin regulations (Japan's movie rating system that dictated how much sex could shown, runtime, etc), with over 1,000 movies being made. In 2002, for the 50th anniversary of Nikkatsu's Roman Porno films, three films were produced to commemorate the history. 'Hand' is the first of three said films. Make no mistake, there is nothing inherently pornographic about this movie - your typical French film has more nudity than this.

'Hand' is ultimately a story of a young woman in her 20's and her diminishing relationship with her aging father and his cognitive decline. The story is told through her lust for older men's companionship, ultimately discovering her preference of older men is questioned when she falls for a much younger co-worker her age. Her younger sister is the complete opposite in personality of sexual preference and fatherly affairs.

The film is a bit of a slow burn, but the story is actually an rousing one, with the shifting father-daughter relationship keeping interest.

Overall 'Hand' is more than some cheesy porno for Japanese businessmen, it's a solid story that could stand on its own. And it probably would have got significantly more recognition as a great film if it wasn't attached to the Roman Porno name...

And not just those - no pun intended. If you like erotic dramas - well I reckon I do not have to tell you that this movie is one you could and probably should watch. There is obviously nudity in this, so you should not have problems with that. The movie is more about the relationships though - so not trying to titilate the viewer - at least not too much! It does focus on the drama - what do the characters think and why do they ... do it (with each other)? At least some of the questions will be answered.

The acting is good and I was able to stream this online. I would say that most of the story is predictable (character fate), but it still is gripping and suspenseful ... again no pun intended - drama baby (another pun?). Hand(s) off.