Directed by Juzo Itami • 1996 • Japan
Starring Masahiko Tsugawa, Nobuko Miyamoto, Ryunosuke Kaneda

In this vibrant comedy, failing supermarket manager Goro (Masahiko Tsugawa) hires Hanako (Nobuko Miyamoto), an old classmate, to help him compete with the new rival grocery store in town. Soon, Hanako’s ideas and energy completely revitalize the store—but not without ruffling some feathers and sparking some romance along the way. Abetted by his magnetic leads, director Juzo Itami achieves an ebullient, pitch-perfect blend of slapstick farce, gentle human comedy, and insightful social observation.