I wouldn't say that this movie was one of the worst movies that I've ever seen, but it is by no means one of the best movies of the year. My girlfriend and I rented this movie, thinking that it must be good since it was nominated for picture of the year, but we were both disapointed and confused by the end of the movie.

Having spent a good deal of time in Japan myself, I have to give it to the movie for providing a pretty good portrayal of Japan, but I also feel like the movie belittled the Japanese people. There was a loose love plot that was able to barely hold the movie together and was the only thing that kept me from turning the movie off.

My recomendation: Do not watch this movie if you are a fan of action movies, comedies or any movies of the like. Do watch this movie if you are a fan of "art" movies and dramas.

By the way, I have not met a single (real) person that has said they actually enjoyed this movie.