Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is a 2021 Japanese romantic drama film written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The movie weaves a complex tapestry of three interconnected stories, each exploring the intricacies of human relationships and the unpredictability of life. The first movement introduces us to a young woman named Koji (played by Aju Makita), who has just finished high school and is navigating her way through college. Koji is a shy and introverted individual who has never quite found her place in the world. One day, while trying out for the school's theater group, she meets a charismatic and confident actor named Kôtarô (played by Tôka Higuchi). Koji becomes smitten with Kôtarô, but her awkwardness and self-doubt prevent her from mustering the courage to approach him. Meanwhile, Koji's best friend, Saki (played by Kotone Furukawa), is also drawn into the mix. Saki is a lively and outgoing individual who has always been Koji's closest confidante. However, their friendship is put to the test when Koji becomes increasingly enamored with Kôtarô, leading to feelings of jealousy and resentment in Saki. As the two girls navigate their complicated emotions, it becomes clear that their friendship may not be as solid as they thought. The second movement shifts our attention to a young man named Ayumi (played by Kiyohiko Shibukawa), who finds himself caught up in a seduction trap set by a mysterious woman named Tomoko (played by Hiromi Kawakami). Tomoko is a charismatic and calculating individual who knows just how to manipulate the people around her. Through a series of cleverly played scenes, Tomoko toys with Ayumi's affections, using him for her own amusement. However, as the seduction progresses, Ayumi begins to realize that he is trapped in a web of deception, and that Tomoko's intentions are far from innocent. In a series of tense and awkward scenes, Ayumi tries to extricate himself from the situation, but Tomoko's grip on him seems almost impossible to break. The third movement brings us full circle, introducing us to a new character, Nao (played by Erika Carlsson), who embarks on a chance encounter in a bar with a middle-aged man named Tsuguhiko (played by Hiroyuki Nishimura). As the two strangers converse, we learn that they have both been carrying their own emotional burdens, and that they are brought together by a shared sense of longing. Through a series of poignant and introspective scenes, Nao and Tsuguhiko navigate the complexities of their newfound connection. As they open up to each other about their past experiences and regrets, it becomes clear that their chance encounter has the potential to become something more profound. Throughout the three movements, Hirokazu Kore-eda masterfully weaves a complex narrative that explores the intricacies of human relationships. The film is a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the choices we make in life. One of the key themes running throughout the film is the idea of chance encounters and the unpredictability of life. In each of the three movements, the characters are brought together by a series of random events, and their lives are forever changed as a result. Whether it's Koji's encounter with Kôtarô, Ayumi's seduction by Tomoko, or Nao's chance meeting with Tsuguhiko, the film highlights the ways in which our lives are forever subject to the whims of fate. At the same time, the film also explores the idea of personal agency and the choices we make in life. Through the characters of Koji, Ayumi, and Nao, Kore-eda shows how our choices can have far-reaching consequences, shaping the trajectory of our lives in ways both large and small. Ultimately, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is a film about the complexities of human relationships and the unpredictability of life. Through its three interconnected movements, it offers a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the choices we make in life. As we follow the characters through their twists and turns, we are forced to confront our own vulnerabilities and the uncertainties of our own lives.