Rihatuten Aruji no Kanashimi
2002 / 97m - Japan
Comedy, Romance
3.0*/5.0*
Barber's Sorrow poster

Plot: A barber hears many stories, some of them personal secrets. But a barber too has secrets of his own. A trauma from his past drives a particular fellow to years for women's feet and high heels. One day he runs into Kyoko, a stunning woman he fancies immediately. The problem is that she's the mistress of a Yakuza member, a loyal customer of his.

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August 12, 2024

3.0*/5.0*

A pretty special Hiroki, if only because he isn't known for directing romantic comedies. Mind you, this isn't a typical romcom. Hiroki's taste for kinky and somewhat taboo subjects is woven into the story, with strong BDSM elements turning this into a very different, although still prim and proper, romantic comedy.

The cast is strong (shoutout to Akira Emoto and Tomoro Taguchi), the presentation is stylish and the comedy is understated but funny. Beyond its premise, the film isn't too original and there aren't many surprises here, but it's an odd little diversion that showcases Hiroki's broader talents. Fun filler!