Review by DrSmooth

This movie's about 3 guys who can't seem to get their lives untracked because they can't or they just don't want to. Iwano is a 27 year-old ex-boxer who dodges and absorbs punches from drunken salarymen for the reasonable rate of 2,000 yen. Maru is an ex-teacher who can't find a job or a new apartment, much to the dismay of his parents. He's got a crush on a girl at the local convenience store, but doesn't have an ounce of smooth. Sada is a older guy in his 50s who just wants to live a carefree life, and basically does, providing the film's most memorable comedic moments. The three of them meet each night to drum up business for Iwano, and to eat oden afterwards at the same yattai stand, "Bar" with the constantly tinkering shop owner.

I saw a trailer for this in Japan in 2002, a really short clip with just the name of the movie, the release date, and Sada chucking out tissue packets at people whether they wanted them or not. Having been to Japan, that was enough to convince me of the comic potential of the movie, and for the most part it didn't disappoint. The movie goes kind of somber 2/3 of the way through in order for the message to get delivered, but all in all, it's a good movie about the awkward situations people get into while trying to find their way in life.