Tengoku wa matte kureru

Tengoku wa matte kureru ("Heaven can wait. Maybe...") is a painfully labored melodrama about three school friends whose youthful friendship turns into a strained love-triangle. The three characters are little more than types: the smart, quiet boy; the slow but determined blue-collar worker; and the object of both of their affections, the professional store clerk who can't choose between her two best friends.

The big plot twist, such as it is, is surprisingly tame, and it's lack of suspense leaves the subsequent events without tension. Much of the film is filled with repetitive camera shots of a fish market, hospital room, and the insertion of vapid pop songs, leaving little room for plot or character development, and what story there is, is predictable and bland.

With a script and acting that seems more suited to daytime soap operas than a feature film, and sugary music that dripped with pathos, I found it hard to muster much sympathy or interest for any of the characters.