it is overlong, and the neurotic characterisation is jarring, but, but... it thankfully avoids a trite narrative structure, and overall is a quite gorgeous, inventive bit of filmmaking. bizarre when you think about it - an anarchic, naturalistically acted, lo-fi-styled adaptation of a kids' book. an unexpected combination, but it is genius when it works.

'you very much make me want to fall in love.' although a lot of the dialogue is very affected and mannered, this is one of the few new wave films i've seen which avoids the more obnoxious disaffected ennui which seems to characterise the movement. that it starts as a kind of cine-essay on hiroshima and turns into a completely charming and involving love affair is all the more impressive. lovely, without being trite.