People complain with some justification that there are not enough quality film roles for women in their 30s. Ryusuke Hamaguchi will just about solve the problem single-handedly with his 317-minute interpersonal character drama, showcasing four remarkable lead actresses and a host of distinctive supporting players.
“Happy Hour” is about friendship. It is about trust. It is about five hours, plus. Granted, that is a serious time investment, but the emotional realism never drags in Hamaguchi’s “Happy Hour.”
Yes, it is over five hours, but they are quality hours.
