Cert 12A
110 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate sex references
This is the weekend when everyfilm gets firmly back on track and the latest up is an unusual Japanese love story.
Actually, I can't remember seeing a Japanese movie which wasn't at least a little offbeat - the creativity and variety of film-making in that country is what makes it so attractive.
To follow this theme, Like Someone In Love is an odd little drama about a young prostitute (Rin Takanashi) who is befriended by an elderly widower (Tadashi Okuno).
Whilst he is a client, it appears that he wants no more than relief from loneliness.
Meanwhile, both are under pressure from others - she by her obsessive and abusive boyfriend (Ryo Kase), and her pimp (Denden), he by those demanding work (he is a translator) and a lovelorn neighbour.
What happens is that despite their huge age difference is that they find solace in each other.
However, Abbas Kiarostami's movie does tend to pose more questions than answers.
For example, we never find out why the young student has descended into prostitution or, indeed, whether the old man has any sexual intent.
Do they actually sleep together? I'm afraid that is not clear.
Needless to say its ending is ambiguous.
But it is a worthwhile piece because, if you are like me and have an interest in Japanese culture, it adds a few more pieces to the jigsaw.
It is also splendidly well acted.
PS I feel a fool... it has been pointed out to me that Kiarostami is, in fact, Iranian and this is his homage to Japanese culture!!
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10