There’s a moment that happens in many of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s films when, deep in conversation, the characters are suddenly shown in close-up, speaking straight at the camera. It’s a simple technique, but it can be startlingly effective. Every shade of emotion is on full display. As a viewer, it can leave you feeling like a voyeur — or a confidante.
Many movie fans around the world are only just discovering Hamaguchi’s deft, probing explorations of the human heart. The 43-year-old had a breakout year in 2021, as he released two wildly contrasting but complementary films to widespread acclaim: the slow-burning Haruki Murakami adaptation “Drive My Car” and three-part anthology “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.”
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