Is Flavor of Happiness Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2008)

📖 The Core Premise

Flavor of Happiness returns to the screen in 2008, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama genre. 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. "Yamashita Takako works in the food section of a department store. She pays frequent visits to a reputable local Chinese restaurant about opening an in-store branch. The owner of the restaurant, Wang Qingkuo from Shanghai, who does all the cooking by himself, gives Takako the brush-off. One day, however, Wang collapses due to overwork, and is left with partial paralysis. Hearing the rumor of the restaurant’s closure, Takako resigns from the department store and becomes an apprentice to Wang."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Miki Nakatani's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. 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 Flavor of Happiness 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, Flavor of Happiness is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 124 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.