Yes, it has its slow parts.

But this movie leaves one both happy and melancholy.

Bill does an OK job and Scarlett does a really good job. The rut of Murray's character is deeper than his counterpart's.

Just the same, the growing liaison which develops throughout, is uniquely charming. It's merely a bond of friendship with a smoldering flame of romance underneath the surface that can never be realized, but certainly dreamt about. That's the best way I can describe it.

Bill's character merely has fun with her, ever unassuming, which leads to the growing endearment of both to each other with each meeting.

They give the audience more time with Bill's plight in life than Scarlett's. With Bill's character, it's a marriage of many years that is apparently one of love, but where all romance, passion and laughter has long since been lost.

Scarlett, being decades younger of course, has a love as well, but seemingly in its infancy and her Beau is still at the age where he likes to party with his buddies. Just the same, a good and caring fellow.

The Climax fits the movie perfectly.

Finally, since the location is Japan, the activities and culture are kind of fun.

This movie defines 'bittersweet' quite well.

It's not a DVD we put in the player too often, but we do enjoy and appreciate its quasi love story. It certainly is a welcome departure from most movies in the romcom genre.