The not-so-pleasant cherry on top is that everyone remembers it.
Thats the outlandish, yet vaguely familiar, premiseRiveris built on.
Perhaps what makes this film so clever is the fact that the short loops dont leave the narrative lacking.
Image via Third Window Films
The time loop concept is certainly not unique toRiver,with films likeHappy Death DayandEdge of Tomorrowpreceding it.
However,Riveris full of twists and turns that make it come across as refreshingly original.
Typically, youd watch a character relive the same day or a couple of hours till something gives.
Image via Third Window Films
However, Yamaguchi narrows it down to a brief two minutes.
Making it even more of a standout is howRivermashes together the frantic time-loop mechanics with moments ofgenuine connection.
On one hand, theres this picturesque small town setting and on the other, therespure chaos.
This starts with seemingly small everyday disruptions that metamorphose into more complex issues.
This adds both a comedic and bittersweet layer to the story.
But as the loop deepens, the characters reactions and interactions become more layered.
Image via Europe Kikaku
A time loop is the most terrifying of traps, as these horror films reveal.
For instance, a waiter is stuck serving the same meal over and over again.
Naturally, his frustration is gradually reaching its peak as he tries to keep up before the loop resets.
Its interesting to see their evolution as well as the ways their relationships progress.
This ups the ante, transforming their story intosomewhat of a puzzlewhere the full picture is all-around self-discovery.
So, is it funny?
On more levels than one, but its equally touching and gripping.
InRiver, Yamaguchi keeps things light in a dire situation by digging deeper into this playful concept.
Mikoto, also played by Fujitani, may be one of the emotional anchors of the film.
However, shes also caught using the loop to further her own agenda.
The latter expands on the core idea by closely examining the emotional weight of living in a loop.
But, the constant time interruptions blend comedy with the mounting frustration to create a more grounded result.
In a nutshell, viewers get to see exactly how each character deals with the reality of being stuck.
