Always: Sunset on Third Street 2

Always: Sunset on Third Street 2

Always: Sunset On Third Street 2 is a pleasant movie follow-up to the 2005 hit released by Toho Co., Ltd. It is based on the manga by Ryohei Saigan.

Set in 1959 Tokyo, the movie continues the story of Ryunosuke Chagawa, a struggling writer who suffers from writer's block. He is the guardian of Junnosuke Furuyuki whose birth father (a very rich man) wants to take custody of his son, but Junnosuke is very happy living with Chagawa. The theme of their story is that love is more important than money. It is also the story of his undying love for Hiromi, a burlesque dancer who performs as "Betty."

The movie also is about the Norifumi Suzuki family, who lives across the street from Chagawa. Suzuki runs an auto repair shop and his wife Tomoe is the family's moral backbone. They take in niece Mika, an ill-mannered and spoiled rich kid whose father's business went bankrupt. It is a jarring change for her go from her former wealthy lifestyle to life with an auto mechanic's family. Eventually, she adjusts and learns to like her second cousin Ippei (and vice-versa).

The movie is generally a light comedy but also has a lot of pathos as the different characters struggle with life's situations. Chagawa falls victim to some con artists who prey on his desperation to win a prestigious literary prize. Just when it seems that all hope is lost for a happy ending, the movie pulls out some happy resolutions. Some may fault the movie for being overly optimistic (the line, "if you work hard, good things will happen to you" is repeatedly spoken), but it is a nice diversion.

All this takes place in a working-class Tokyo neighborhood under the shadow of Tokyo Tower.

A CGI Godzilla makes an cameo at the beginning of the movie following a "TohoScope" logo card. The special effects department did a great job in capturing the look of 1950s Tokyo, complete with streetcars.

The movie has been released on DVD-Region 2.

My grade: A-.

The Players:

Shin’ichi Tsutsumi - Norifumi Suzuki
Hiroko Yakushimaru - Tomoe Suzuki
Kazuki Koshimizu - Ippei Suzuki
Maki Horikita - Mutsuko Hoshino
Hidetaka Yoshioka - Ryunosuke Chagawa
Kenta Suga - Junnosuke Furuyuki
Koyuki - Hiromi Ishizaki
Fumiyo Kohinata - Yasunari Kawabuchi
Tomokazu Miura - Dr. Takuma
Masako Motai - Kin Ohta (called "Granny")