A novel by one of the titans of 20th century sci-fi gets the Nicholas Sparks treatment in Takahiro Miki’s tepid, treacly “The Door into Summer.” Adapted from the 1957 book by Robert A. Heinlein, it’s a tale of time travel, androids and cryogenics, but an opening quote from Stephen Hawking turns out to be more cerebral than anything that follows.
Kento Yamazaki plays Soichiro, an orphaned scientific genius who masters robotics under the tutelage of his adoptive father. After losing his new parents in a plane crash, he’s left only with his adoptive sister, Riko (Kaya Kiyohara), and a plump tabby cat named Pete.
The story’s title refers to how this happy-go-lucky feline spends all winter hoping that the front door will eventually open to reveal a summer’s day. Viewers may find themselves longing for a similar portal to whisk them away to a better movie.