Is 'Kutabare' Bocchan Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2016)

📖 The Core Premise

'Kutabare' Bocchan returns to the screen in 2016, 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. "27-year-old Yazaki Junpei has come back to his hometown of Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture for the first time in 10 years after working in Tokyo. As the grandson of the bad guy “Red Shirt” who was punished by Bocchan in Natsume Soseki’s novel Bocchan, he has hated this town which continued to be regarded with disdain, since childhood. An old man picks a quarrel with Junpei inside a streetcar as he heads to his parents’ home in Dogo. Could this man be the Bocchan who once acted violently with free abandon in Matsuyama!?"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In 'Kutabare' Bocchan, even the presence of Kaname Endo struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. 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 'Kutabare' Bocchan 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, 'Kutabare' Bocchan 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.