An unexpected love triangle, a failed seduction, and a chance encounter with the past…. Propelled by coincidence and imagination, and guided by love’s gentle current, acclaimed director Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Happy Hour, Asako I & II) — also director of Drive My Car, Japan’s Oscar entry for Best International Film at this year’s Academy Awards® — returns with an enchanting triptych that spins mundane encounters into a world of infinite possibilities. Playfully inspired by life’s tiny miracles, and bound together by memory, regret, deception and fate, Hamaguchi leaves no stone unturned in his quest to chart the ever-deepening mysteries of the all-too-human heart.

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[youtube https://youtu.be/PFO623ljMjw?t=678]

Video Quality

Wheel Of Fortune and Fantasy comes to Blu-Ray in a 1080p presentation that is truly a treasure. These stories take place in a variety of different locations throughout the city, which provides a visually rich experience where you can see an incredible amount of detail. The natural color palette fares well throughout as you get both pleasant shots of the landscape along with some more clinically indistinct interiors which mirror some of the repressive emotions on display. There is nothing candy colored here, but Hamaguchi frames the natural world in a way that is just as breathtaking. White levels are handled with precision and no instances of blooming, and the shadowy blacks that do not suffer from crush or compression artifacts. The transfer allows for some amazing texture within the costumes and production design that adds a depth to the picture. Skin tones are likewise detailed and natural all around. Film Movement has done film fans a favor by releasing this one in high definition.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original Japanese that works flawlessly in conjunction with these stories. The dialogue comes through crisp and clear without ever being overshadowed by the sound effects or the music. The environmental effects create a really distinct soundscape of the city that makes the world feel more alive. The film features an enjoyable score which radiates through with a great fidelity. The sound design remains pinpoint accurate with sounds positioned just right in the mix. This is the opposite of an action-heavy film, but some texture is added to the proceedings thanks to activity in the low end. This is a great sounding release all around. There are optional English subtitles provided.

Special Features

Interview with Ryusuke Hamaguchi: A 14-minute interview with Hamaguchi moderated by film programmer Aiko Masubuchi in which the director discusses his inspiration for telling a film in this structure, the underlying themes that arose from the stories he wanted to tell, how the structure benefited his writing process, how this lined up with the filming of Drive My Car and the arrival of the pandemic, the editing process and much more.

Bonus Short Film – The Chicken: A 13-minute short film is provided here which involves a young Japanese immigrant in New York who is struggling with the idea of killing a chicken he bought for dinner. This is a very strong piece of work which should not be overlooked.

Trailers: The two-minute trailer for Wheel Of Fortune and Fantasy is provided here. There are also trailers for After The Storm, Oh Lucy! and The Real Thing.

Final Thoughts

Wheel Of Fortune and Fantasy is a standout piece of work from director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, who is on a considerable hot streak with two incredible films being released within a calendar year. While his Oscar-winning tale might have a higher profile, this triptych is just as worthy of a viewing with its deeply human moments, poignant observations and overall excellence in filmmaking. There is not a weak story in the bunch. Film Movement has provided a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation and a few fun special features. If you are a fan of international cinema, this is a standout title from a filmmaker destined to deliver amazing work for years to come. Recommended

Wheel Of Fortune and Fantasy is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Film Movement has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.