Is The Tang of Lemon Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2012)

📖 The Core Premise

The Tang of Lemon returns to the screen in 2012, bringing a fresh narrative to the various 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. "Twenty-year-old Kaori, an aspiring accessory designer, spends her days troubled by her mother's violence and excessive meddling. Meanwhile, forty-year-old secretary Kaori, whose daughter is a shut-in, can't stop shoplifting and having casual sex."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Hanae Kan attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Tang of Lemon worth your time? If you appreciate various 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, The Tang of Lemon misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 138 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.