Japanese comedy Since childhood, Yone dreamed of seeing something supernatural. Perhaps that’s why she got a job as a teenager on a television show of paranormal phenomena. All the guests who come to the show to show their skills, are charlatans. And Yona has to go out on her own looking for talent. She visits a cafe where real psychics gather. One has X-ray vision and can see through clothing, another can control electronics from a distance, and another can stop time. The only problem is that they don’t want anyone to know their talents. What becomes especially relevant in the light of the fact that in addition to them, Yona wanders another so-called psychic, who for his superpower wants to give the ability to squeeze into the gap between the supports on which the second floor of their cafe rests.
"Curved Spoon" is a classic modern Japanese comedy with a specific humor inherent only in Japanese films. He is neither black nor white, but somewhere in the middle, which is his identity. The theme of jokes is the most ordinary and at the same time the most unexpected things. At the same time, the film has the features of a Christmas tale. In the role of a child who expects miracles, Yone acts, and in the role of Santa Claus – a cheerful company of psychics. The very theme of paranormal abilities is played brightly and with humor. In a genre thriller-type film, those with such skills would certainly become villains, terrifying citizens and the police. Here they look downtrodden introverts, afraid to go out again. Scammers who want to become famous on television, go out of their way to surprise the audience and they do not succeed. One candidate even puts a venomous spider on his hand, claiming he can easily cope with the bite. However, then he is under an IV in the hospital. And real psychics carefully preserve their talent, not revealing it to anyone. And, although they are very afraid to light up in public, in their environment there is an atmosphere of constant mutual hamstrings and jokes, to observe what is very interesting.
Although paranormal abilities are pure mysticism, which usually excites the imagination, here they are placed in an ordinary comedic context that deprives them of magical charm. This magic is not esoteric, but comic. There is even some timidity about these psychics to their gift. It is as if they are afraid to use it incorrectly. However, it becomes a real joy for them to show Yone a little performance, so as not to leave her disappointed in her search for psychic talents. All this makes homegrown psychics, seemingly impregnable in their secrecy, very human and responsive, turning the film into a kind, almost family comedy.
8 out of 10