Production
Written & Directed by: Gregory Hatanaka
Producer Taka Arai
Executive Producers Shinichi Fujiki, Kaido Yamada, David J. Kuff
Co-Producer Norith Soth
Cinematography by Yasu Tanida
Robert -- Norman Reedus
Elizabeth -- Kathleen Robertson
Mina -- Missy Crider
Karina -- Sarah Lassez
Daniel -- Michael T. Weiss
Michael -- Matthew Settle
Cynthia -- Aimee Graham
David -- Boyd Kestner
Cosma -- Sean Young
Photo Courtesy of Pathfinder Pictures
to take a while to establish the direction Hatanaka was going with this film. Once that was established it
was a good film. Hatanaka's four main characters all had their own demons in their lives to deal with. The
one thing going for this film was seeing how the characters dealt with their problems.
The film was well directed and photographed by these young filmmakers. At times certain scenes were
shown over and over which was a little distracting, but overall I feel this was a good first film for
Hatanaka. I hope he continues as I see a great future in Independent films for this young filmmaker.
The story Robert (Norman Reedus) is an unsuccessful writer and on the point of alcoholism. In the
opening scene he is using a small movie camera to photograph his girlfriend Mina (Missy Crider). He
practically has the camera up her nose. Mina gets upset about him filming her all the time. She also has
her demons to deal with. She finally gets out of the self-destructive relationship. Robert is obsessed
with beautiful women, sex, and his own self-destruction. At one time he stalks a model and runs into a
past lover Elizabeth (Kathleen Robertson) at a bar. Elizabeth is a successful career woman struggling to
keep her marriage together. Her husband, a once-celebrated actor Daniel (Michael T. Weiss), is pushing
her to the limits. He is like a househusband; he does the cooking, and is ever changing the house
around in his despression and also drinking to a point of unconsciousness. This all is making it harder
and harder for Elizabeth to keep her sanity. This is where Hatanaka has scenes repeated over to show
her desolation. It works well for the storyline.
Elizabeth meets Robert and they kind of start up their friendship again, maybe more than friendship. This
bothers her, as she really wants to stay committed to her marriage. She becomes despondent and feels
hopeless with her life. Robert, of all people, finally gets her back into the right mode. Maybe because
Robert‘s life is so messed up. Then things change in Robert and Elizabeth’s relationship. The four
characters finally get their acts together as best they can. The ending has some surprises. I do not want
to give that away as you might see this film at a film festival sometime.
The acting in this film is superb and you could not ask for a better cast. It is a dark film that explores
relationships and how people deal with their demons.
I do recommend seeing "Until the Night" if you get a chance.
