Wim Wenders directs Kōji Yakusho, Tokio Emoto and Arisa Nakano in this slice-of-life drama following a quiet toilet cleaner as he makes his rounds about Tokyo and enjoys his downtime.

Could have quite happily just watched him do five or six daily work / rest cycles with minimalist plot. The second hour does bring in some drama, tangible interactions and hints of his past. The final piece of IMDB trivia has Wim Wenders reveal Hirayama’s unseen back story. Don’t read that. Even after. Keep your own mysteries. Take pride in your work. Enjoy books and music you love. Favourite scene: When a character talks about a portentous Patricia Highsmith story I had just finished reading about moments before the lights went down and the movie begun.

8

Perfect Double Bill: Alice In The Cities (1974)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/