Reminiscent of the Hollywood screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, writer/director Koki Mitani's 1997 Japanese variation employs the farcical situations, frenetic pacing, and rapid-fire dialogue characteristic of the sadly faded genre to humorous Far Eastern effect. Based on Mitani's play, the set-bound production is centered in a radio station where a first-time scriptwriter's story is about to be dramatized for a live broadcast. Alas, the self-centered actress voicing the lead role demands certain script changes, which naturally leads her male costar to a few demands of his own. Forced to stroke their egos in order to keep the show going, the producer acquiesces, to the dismay of the writer and production team who must contend with the hilarious continuity problems that ensue. Recommended. (T. Rich)
Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald
Kino, 103 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, VHS: $49.95, DVD: $29.95 Volume 18, Issue 3
Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald
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