Languid and contemplative! This film is the typical Kitano fare; leaving viewers with precious time to reflect on the scenes. The 3 stories of tragic love takes place amidst breath-taking views and landscapes that will seduce and hold you captive to the ethereal beauty around. The bunraku performance which features Japanese dolls and puppets maneuvered by men in tune with  music and narration seems the fitting opening for this movie that concerns giving up freedom for the sake of romance, like dolls in a bunraku performance that are maneuvered and their movements dictated.  Impressive cinematography and art direction, a movie you shouldn't miss.