Arimura Kasumi is really becoming my favorite actress with roles like this and in Chihiro-san. In this film she takes on another role that goes beyond the usual surface level female protagonists that we often get. Its an exploration of the different ways that people deal with trauma and shows hope that you can make something positive out of it.

This film challenges prenotions about criminals by giving us a protagonist who has gone through something traumatic yet decided to do her best in seeing the good in people. All that while not portraying her as naive or guillable but as a woman who has her head straight on, is quick witted and unafraid. But she is also not shown to be perfect as she still struggles and has still some more work to do on herself to overcome unresolved struggles. I definitely wanted to root for her all the way through and really wish I could see more of her in action, be it in drama format or a sequel movie.

This film also tackles a topic I have never before seen, giving an interesting insight in the probation system in Japan. I would have never guessed that probation officers are unpaid civilians (please pay these people omg). Based on that alone I already recommend it.

My only problem was the romance aspect, if one can even call it that. I definitely could have done without a romance backstory between her and the officer. In general I think the police officer should have shown more remorse in how he had treated her. Again, this IS an exploration of how everyone deals with their individual trauma but I wish his had been tackled and worked through some more like hers was. Of course that is hard to do in a movie format so it is totally fine.

Overall its a film with an interesting topic, amazing acting and thoughtful intend.