Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

Name: Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: October 15, 2021
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 86
Cast: Aoba Kawai, Ayumu Nakajima, Fusako Urabe, Hyunri, Katsuki Mori

2021

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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Wheel Of Fortune And Fanstasy (US Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Film Movement | Release Date: October 15, 2021 | Not Rated

Starring: Aoba Kawai, Ayumu Nakajima, Fusako Urabe, Hyunri, Katsuki Mori, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Kotone Furukawa, Shouma Kai

Movie Facts:

Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize (2nd place) winner at the 2021 Berlin International Film Festival.

Summary: An unexpected love triangle, a failed seduction, and a chance encounter with the past. In Episode 1: Magic (or Something Less Assuring), a young woman is startled when she realizes that her best friend’s new flame might just be her ex; in Episode 2: Door Wide Open, a disgruntled student plots to trick his college professor, using hisAn unexpected love triangle, a failed seduction, and a chance encounter with the past. In Episode 1: Magic (or Something Less Assuring), a young woman is startled when she realizes that her best friend’s new flame might just be her ex; in Episode 2: Door Wide Open, a disgruntled student plots to trick his college professor, using his friend-with-benefits as bait; and in Episode 3: Once Again, a girl’s college reunion leads to an unanticipated run-in with an old friend, and awakens feelings long since forgotten. [Film Movement]… Expand

Director: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 121 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Jenny Nulf

Oct 28, 2021

Hamaguchi has a beautiful outlook on mistakes and the complex emotions that make up humanity, and his tenderness toward each character he brings to life makes him one of the best storytellers working today. Read full review

100

The Film Stage Rory O'Connor

Mar 5, 2021

It feels a complete whole––a wry intertwining dialectic on modern desires––yet each scene is uniquely bracing: beautifully poised, exquisitely observed, and even erotically charged––rife with unabashed seduction, though always close enough to farce to keep things kösher and to keep you guessing (it’s telling that we barely glimpse a kiss). Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Oct 14, 2021

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is a perfect entry point into Hamaguchi’s work. Not every episode works equally well or hits as hard, but both times I watched this movie, I found something to admire, consider, argue with and weep over. Read full review

Allan Hunter

Mar 5, 2021

Wheel Of Fortune And Fantasy allows Hamaguchi to return to themes he has explored in previous work from the way life is measured in twists of fate to a sense of duality in individual lives and characters. Read full review

Wendy Ide

Feb 13, 2022

This female-led triptych of stories, with its deft, empathetic camerawork and intimate, intricately crafted character sketches, is a minor masterpiece in its own right. Read full review

Trevor Johnston

Feb 11, 2022

An absorbing set of vignettes, though the third section definitely ups the emotional ante. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Jan 15, 2022

The stories share a beguiling, meditative strangeness that draws us in. Hamaguchi sets up our expectations, then upends them with this revelation about a character or that wrinkle in the plot. Read full review

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User Reviews

pisc

Apr 3, 2022

This film makes you realize how interesting human conversation can be.
There is little action or movement, and most of the time is spent on the conversations that take place on the spot.
There are some surprising twists and turns, which not only keep us interested but also keep us immersed.This film makes you realize how interesting human conversation can be.
There is little action or movement, and most of the time is spent on the conversations that take place on the spot.
There are some surprising twists and turns, which not only keep us interested but also keep us immersed.
Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi's aesthetic sense and ability to observe people are outstanding.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

airdaypay

Jan 20, 2022

Aesthetically compelling and refreshing from start to finish, Hamaguchi is the real deal.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Ananisapta

Mar 5, 2022

A totally original set of three short stories about women in love... or not. If you like neat, logical endings, this is not your film. The protagonists are complex individuals whose feelings often baffle them as well as us. Nicely acted and gives glimpses of contemporary Japanese life forA totally original set of three short stories about women in love... or not. If you like neat, logical endings, this is not your film. The protagonists are complex individuals whose feelings often baffle them as well as us. Nicely acted and gives glimpses of contemporary Japanese life for young adults.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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