Is Encyclopedia of a Drifter Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1998)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Encyclopedia of a Drifter (1998), audiences are invited back into the world of Documentary, Drama. 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. "Nagaremono zukan is a documentary video, release from V&R Planning (AV). "Flower Picture Book" is the second work in the bicycle trilogy after Yumika. A very private sexual movie with Tomoko Matsunashi, right after Hirano broke up with Yumika. The violence of the camera is clearly increasing. If Yumika was the light, Nagaremono zukan is the shadow. There are two version of Nagaremono zukan, the censored one and the original hardcore one, with additional scenes, better quality and longer runtime."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Encyclopedia of a Drifter, even the presence of Katsuyuki Hirano struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Encyclopedia of a Drifter worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary, 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, Encyclopedia of a Drifter misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 119 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.