Kirin Kiki is one of the most accomplished Japanese actors of her generation who gave memorable performances in films such as Like Father Like Son, Our Little Sister, and more recently After the Storm. An is a red bean paste used in many Japanese sweets like dorayaki. It's a moving film with technical precision. It connects on an emotional level thanks to the beguiling Kirin Kiki. Kiki draws us in to Tokue's world with subtlety and care as we sense her vulnerability. But we never feel pity - we come to admire her bouyance and cheerfulness on screen and in absentia. However, other scenes not featuring Kiki, sentimentality and melodrama begin to take a hold. It's a small film but it lets the pictures do the talking.

Sweet Bean (an/餡) viewed on Streaming. Makeup/prosthetic = nine (9) stars; subtitles = eight (8) stars; cinematography/lighting = five (5) stars. Director Naomi Kawase's multi-generational tale of cultural isolation and neglect, food preparation in a one-product mini pastry shop, and the viral nature of rumors (both positive and negative) and their impacts on small local businesses as well as landlord greed is a highly original mash up and compelling to watch. (Dorayaki are traditional Washoku (Japanese food) consisting of small pancakes filled with sweet (from sugar) red bean paste.) With a background that seems steeped in Shinto philosophy, the Director has created a very Japanese film. Kawase also provides a tutorial on proper bean-paste preparation. There are no plot surprises; everything is well telegraphed in advance (including the mostly happy endings). Acting is uni-formally quite good. Veteran actress Kirin Kiki (樹木希林) is a knock out in the role of an elderly pastry chef (and noninfectious victim of leprosy). Actor Masatoshi Nagase delivers a mostly workman like performance. Actress Kyara Uchida seems a bit too old to play a high school student. Cinematography (wide screen, color) and lighting are so-so. Scenes shot inside the mini bakery set can go in-and-out of focus. Other interior and night scenes are usually poorly lit to the point of preventing the viewer from seeing what's happening. Score is fine, but with a little bit too much piano. Subtitles are very good due in part to uncomplicated, straight-forward lines of dialog. Highly recommended. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

I watched this film with awe by its gentleness that goes straight to the heart...the actress who plays Tokue is a experienced actress and she has a beautiful smile that just melt your heart....Although it deals with leprosy but there is nothing hideous nor deformity which makes you feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, the beauty in everything which Tokue is seeing is so beautiful: the moon, the cherry blossoms, the sunlight...and the small bakery shop seems like a refuge for her....She has a mother-son relationship-like toward the baker and her acting is so natural that just moves you so much. I recommend this beautiful Japanese film to anyone. Don't miss out this rare pearl...

Tears rolled down from my eyes while watching An. The movie reminds me of the evils of discrimination. Unique and beautiful, everyone deserves love. Also, it is important to throw oneself heart and soul into everything one does. Let's say NO to a flippant attitude and I hope my students can understand that constant efforts yield success. Moreover, this touching movie reminds us to treasure what we have and not to take everything for granted.Although the story is rather simple, the film is worth watching because of Kirin Kiki, one of the best Japanese actresses. Her acting is beyond compare. I totally feel for her character, who stays positive and truly appreciates the beauty of the mother nature despite her sad story. Masatoshi Nagase is impressive too. He subtly expresses his suppressed frustration, in spite of his long silences at the beginning of the film. I also love his performance in another film, Kano. Apart from the capable leads, the cinematography is awesome. The four seasons, the food and the mother nature are beautifully captured.Like red beans, life is bittersweet in nature. Nevertheless, the elderly woman's secret recipe for truly transcendent dorayakis reminds us that we are able to get rid of the bitter taste, with a good attitude, smiles, effort and love.