Watch Oh Lucy!

Oh Lucy! is a quirky and poignant indie film that explores themes of loneliness, self-discovery, and cultural identity. Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi, the movie stars Shinobu Terajima as Setsuko, a middle-aged single woman living in Tokyo who feels stuck in a mundane and unfulfilling life. One day, Setsuko's niece Mika (Shioli Kutsuna) convinces her to take an English class with an eccentric American teacher named John (Josh Hartnett). Initially reluctant, Setsuko becomes intrigued by John's unconventional teaching methods and his insistence that his students adopt American names.

After an awkward encounter with John, Setsuko finds herself drawn to his personality and begins to see him as a potential love interest. When Mika abruptly disappears, Setsuko embarks on a journey to California with John to find her. Along the way, Setsuko experiences a series of unexpected events that challenge her perceptions of herself and her place in the world.

The film touches on cultural differences and the challenges of navigating life in a foreign country. Setsuko is a quintessentially Japanese character, reserved and polite to a fault. Her interactions with John, who is much more outgoing and free-spirited, highlight their cultural differences and the difficulties in relating to people from different backgrounds.

As Setsuko and John's relationship progresses, the film delves deeper into the themes of loneliness and self-discovery. Setsuko is initially hesitant to break from her routine and try new things, but through her experiences with John and in California, she begins to open up and explore new aspects of herself.

The film also touches on some darker themes, including suicide and mental illness. Setsuko's sister Ayako (Kaho Minami) has struggled with depression for years and attempts to take her own life at one point. Setsuko's own feelings of emptiness and unhappiness are also hinted at throughout the film, adding a layer of depth and complexity to her character.

Oh Lucy! is anchored by a strong performance from Shinobu Terajima, who imbues Setsuko with a quiet yet powerful presence. Terajima's portrayal of a woman coming to grips with her own identity and place in the world is both relatable and moving.

Soseki Yamatoya and Miyu Yagyu also provide solid supporting performances as Setsuko's brother-in-law and niece, respectively. Yamatoya brings a sense of warmth and humor to his role, while Yagyu brings a youthful energy and a touch of rebellion to her portrayal of Mika.

The film's cinematography is also notable, with beautiful shots of Tokyo and California that capture the contrasting moods and atmospheres of the two locations. The score, composed by Erik Friedlander, is understated yet effective in setting the film's overall tone.

Overall, Oh Lucy! is an engaging and thought-provoking film that explores themes of identity, loneliness, and self-discovery in a unique and compelling way. It deftly weaves together moments of humor and sadness, culminating in a poignant and satisfying conclusion.

Oh Lucy! is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 69.