Toru Kamei's 2012 psychological drama presents a provocative exploration of workplace dynamics and hidden desires, yet stumbles under the weight of its own ambitions. The film crafts an initially compelling atmosphere within the sterile confines of a publishing company, where fluorescent lighting and beige office spaces create a suffocating backdrop that mirrors the characters' repressed urges. Kamei's cinematography oscillates between clinical detachment and intimate close-ups, though this visual dichotomy feels more jarring than purposeful. The camera work occasionally captures the tension brewing beneath mundane corporate interactions, but lacks the consistent visual language needed to sustain the psychological undertones throughout the narrative.
Dan Mitsu delivers a committed performance as Kana, embodying the enigmatic colleague with a mixture of calculated seduction and genuine vulnerability. Her portrayal navigates the character's complex duality with surprising nuance, particularly in scenes where her professional facade crumbles to reveal deeper psychological wounds. Itsuji Itao provides adequate support as her younger coworker, though his performance remains frustratingly one-dimensional, failing to convey the internal transformation his character supposedly undergoes. The supporting cast, including Hiroaki Mayama, delivers serviceable work but rarely transcends the limitations of their thinly written roles.
The film's pacing proves problematic, with extended sequences that feel indulgent rather than revealing. While the premise promises a descent into psychological complexity, the execution often settles for surface-level titillation instead of meaningful character development. The script, based on Shu Satami's novel, struggles to balance its erotic elements with genuine emotional stakes, resulting in a narrative that feels simultaneously overwrought and underdeveloped. Certain scenes achieve genuine tension, particularly those exploring the power dynamics between characters, but these moments are undermined by melodramatic turns that strain credibility.
The production values remain competent without being exceptional, with costume design effectively contrasting the buttoned-up office environment against the characters' private lives. However, the film's attempts at psychological depth often feel manufactured, relying too heavily on obvious symbolism and contrived situations. The direction shows flashes of sophistication but ultimately lacks the restraint necessary to let the more subtle elements breathe.
