Warsaw 2014 Review: DISCONCERTO, An Uninspired and Lengthy Sequel To A Charming Odd-Couple Comedy
Regrettably, the sequel has little of the gently persuasive energy that permeates its predecessor. Disconcerto (literal title is definitely clearer: 'Rhapsody in front of Mahoro Station') is an almost perfect example of a film that in two hours tries to do little bit of everything but never really concentrates on one aspect carefully enough to deliver it with much-needed conviction, and in the end doesn't amount to much beyond its quirkiness and heartfelt, often sentimental attitude towards both the characters and the drawn-out scenario.
Putting all the ingredients of the picture together gives a stunningly bizarre result. Early in the picture, Tada accepts the position of a babysitter from Gyoten's lesbian ex-wife, concealing the fact that the small girl (Iwasaki Miku) who's soon going to move into their place is actually his partner's daughter (the man was a sperm donor, to be precise).
Soon an element of mystery is added to the mixture when the guys are forced to deal with a dangerous, closely unidentified religious cult camouflaged as an organization specializing in growing healthy, organic vegetables. Unsurprisingly, yakuza's influence can be felt throughout, however the few confrontations don't influence the storyline in any way. A subplot that rather superficially examines Tada's love affair with a sweet neighborhood girl (Yoko Maki) spices the film up a bit.
What savages the picture from a possible catastrophe is its last, extremely silly but thoroughly amusing act, set inside a bus hijacked by a few older members of the Maharo community. It's perhaps the only moment in which a sudden change of rhythm works to the film's great advantage, as it not only shapes the film's narrative discourse but also builds up to a rather satisfying finale.
The edition gets sharper, the narrative becomes more dense on an emotional level and, what's most important, the story finally shapes into something more than a passionless melodrama about two guys trying to come to terms with each other after a small girl moves into their apartment and forces them to reevaluate their already-troubled friendship.
Though the two leading actors still shine in their roles, it seems that after almost three years the chemistry between the two buddies has lost some of its appeal. The screenplay never actually underplays the characters' distinctively intriguing characteristics, but there's little room for the relationship to take a more fascinating shape beyond that of an old marriage fighting over a small kid. Unfortunately, that's the image which stays in mind right after the film finishes.
Due to lack of clear direction Omori isn't able to exploit the full potential of a wonderful cast, thus many of the talented supporting actors and actresses are stuck playing two-dimensional roles. Only the lovely Iwasaki Miku, whose unquestionable charm will make most audience members go kawaii, makes the film's middle part a bit more bearable.
Clearly a picture that has major tone-related problems, Disconcerto mixes melodrama with comedy in a way that's never wholeheartedly entertaining. Die-hard fans of the couple of admirably eccentric 'benriya' (jack of-all-trades) will probably be saddened by the sequel's uninspired nature, whereas first-comers looking for potential in the easy-to-follow story will certainly have to dig deeper in order to realize what makes the characters and the initial concept so cleverly charming. That said, here's to hoping that the next entry in the series will wash away the bitter aftertaste.
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