Every once in a while, I come across one of those films that, whether I enjoyed it or not, I think “how am I going to write about this one?” This is one of those films. It’s a quirky film that is at times sweet, funny, but also heartbreakingly sad. And I know that if I recommend it, there are going to be at least a few people out there who will see it and hate it. One look at the reviews at IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes makes it clear that it’s a polarizing film. Most people seem to either love it or hate it.

I didn’t quite love it, but I did enjoy it. It’s beautifully filmed, and Rinko Kikuchi was great in the title role. On the downside, it tends to drag a little at times, and it’s not quite sure what kind of film it wants to be, I think, which is part of what makes it difficult to write about. The plot makes it sound like a comedy—a young woman living in Tokyo, dissatisfied with her lot in life, finds a battered copy of “Fargo,” and, believing it to be a true story, becomes obsessed with finding the case full of money that Steve Buscemi’s character buries in the film. But although it does have some funny moments, it’s really more of a drama. But even that label doesn’t quite do it justice. Otherwise, the story is very “bare bones,” with long sections that contain little to no dialogue. If you don’t mind those, this can be an engrossing tale of a personal journey. In fact, in a weak year for film, as this has been, this could be a contender for my “Best of the Year” list. But at the same time, I realize that this isn’t a film for everyone. Approach with caution and realistic expectations.

IMDB gives it a 7.2. I give it a (cautious) 7.0. (running time 1:45)