Watch Hospitalite

Hospitalité is a Japanese comedy-drama film that was released in 2010. It was directed by Koji Fukada, who also co-wrote the screenplay with his assistant director, Yukihiro Yoshida. The film stars Kenji Yamauchi, Kiki Sugino, and Kanji Furutachi in lead roles. The story of Hospitalité revolves around Mikio Kobayashi (Kenji Yamauchi), a middle-aged man who runs a small printing business. He lives with his wife, Natsuki (Kiki Sugino), and their young daughter, Eriko, in a quiet suburb of Tokyo. Mikio's life takes an unexpected turn when his sister-in-law, Setsuko (Kanji Furutachi), introduces him to his nephew, Kagawa (Kanji Furutachi), who is looking for a job.

Mikio, being kind-hearted, decides to offer Kagawa a job at his printing press. But soon after he starts working, Kagawa comes up with an unusual business proposal to turn Mikio's house into a guesthouse. Mikio is initially skeptical, but he agrees to the idea after Kagawa convinces him that it will be profitable.

The arrival of the first guests, however, proves to be a turning point for Mikio and his family. The eclectic mix of guests, including a mysterious young couple, a French woman, and a nudist, challenges their beliefs and values. As the guests' stay grows longer, tensions rise, and shocking secrets are revealed, pulling Mikio's life apart.

Despite being marketed as a comedy, the film's strength lies in its subtle treatment of the characters' emotions and motivations. The complexity of the relationships between the different characters is not always clear, adding to the intrigue of the story.

The film's visual style is restrained and realistic, with long takes and static camera angles. The director also uses the space of the house to create an atmosphere of claustrophobia and confinement. The house becomes a character in itself, shaping the events that unfold.

The performances of the lead actors are outstanding, with Kiki Sugino delivering a nuanced portrayal of Natsuki, who becomes increasingly unhinged as the story progresses. Kenji Yamauchi's performance as Mikio is notable for his understated and nuanced acting.

Overall, Hospitalité is a charming and engaging film that explores the complicated nature of human relationships. The film's humor, while at times subtle, is effective in offsetting the darker aspects of the story. The film's climax is unexpected and leaves a lot to the audience's interpretation, making it an intriguing watch.

Hospitalite is a 2010 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.