Is Boys Hitting the Road Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)
A bar in Shinjuku 2-chome. Toru is the manager of this bar, but one day, the owner, Ishii, suddenly passes away. The bar is to close, and Toru receives a list of regulars from Taka...
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Drama cinema, then Boys Hitting the Road offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2017 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
📖 The Core Premise
Boys Hitting the Road stands as a 2017 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Drama landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A bar in Shinjuku 2-chome. Toru is the manager of this bar, but one day, the owner, Ishii, suddenly passes away. The bar is to close, and Toru receives a list of regulars from Takano, the accountant, and decides to start a journey to collect retirement benefits. Together with Kenichi, the bar's number one, they borrow Ishii's old car and set off to northern Kanto. First up is Sato, a company president with a foot fetish. Although married, he can't stop playing around with men, and whenever he comes to Tokyo, he requests Kenichi. In order not to let the people around him know, he gives Kenichi more money than the tab. Next is Yamamoto, a city council member in the local assembly. A born sadist, he likes to tie Kenichi himself or have a young bondage artist tie him up, and then watch it happen. Kenichi continues on his journey, but he has another goal: to meet Shouji, a man he used to date..."
🎬 Performance & Direction
A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Utchii feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.
🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)
Is Boys Hitting the Road worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.
🏆 Final Verdict
Ultimately, Boys Hitting the Road misses the mark on several fronts.
With a runtime of 60 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.
Our recommendation: Skip It.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.0 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.