A refreshing time loop movie.
Summary SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT Time loop movies are great. Even though we’ve seen the premise play out numerous times onscreen, most of which have been influenced by Groundhog Day, filmmakers continue using the concept in creative ways. Junta Yamaguchi’s River plays with the conceit from various angles, and the result is oftentimes sweet, hilarious, and chaotic.
In the small Japanese town of Kibune, Mikoto and the rest of her hotel staff quickly realize they’re stuck in a time loop, repeatedly experiencing the last two minutes. No one is sure why the time loop is happening, with the weather oscillating between slightly rainy to snowy at different points in the loop. Before long, it becomes clear that the hotel staff aren’t the only ones experiencing this bizarre event — the entire town is going through it.
Screenwriter Makoto Ueda cleverly shifts between the distinct group of characters, knowing exactly when to loop back around. Because of the premise, River could have easily gotten boring. After all, time loops can only go on for so long before things begin to get a bit too repetitive.
It helps that the time loop doesn’t revolve around one character. The inclusion of the hotel staff and the rest of the small town gives River a fresh take on time loops. The ensemble cast’s interactions are at the heart of the film. Considering the time loop only lasts two minutes, the cast has to make the most of their time onscreen, and the scenes are staged so that things never grow tired.
Fujitani is a standout as Mikoto, and the actress embodies her character’s dreamy nature. She is at the center of the story, and Fujitani does a fantastic job of grounding it, bringing heart and emotion to the role. The rest of the cast, including Saori’s Chino, provide the story with levity, and their interactions are key to the film’s success. All told, River is a fun and engaging entry to the time loop genre, offering a refreshing angle to a well-worn premise.
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