Convenience Story (2022) is a surreal odyssey with film noir elements. If that sounds like a reference to David Lynch’s work or to the many Lynchian knock-offs, sure, there are shared concepts here, but writer/director Satoshi Miki’s Japanese feature leans more to the whimsical and weird than the dark.
The 24/7 convenience store (konbini) is a major part of Japanese culture, and Miki places his deadpan, struggling screenwriter protagonist Kato (Ryo Narita) in a decidedly bizarre remote one after he abandons his actress girlfriend Zigzag’s (Yuki Katayama) dog nearby. With the rented truck that he drove there suddenly not running, he takes up the somewhat eager offer of married-couple convenience store owners Keiko (Atsuko Maeda) and Nagumo (Seiji Rokkaku) to stay the night. While Nagumo spends time in the forest air-conducting classical music, Keiko and Kato find themselves in an offbeat relationship reminiscent of The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Giving away any more of the plot would be a disservice to future viewers, but suffice it to say that the proceedings indeed get strange and otherworldly. Kato is a flawed person, but he is not alone in that trait in the quirky world that Miki has created. Although it is not easy to warm up to the characters because of their shortcomings, neither is it difficult to invest in what will happen to them as everything builds to a climax that is a true jaw-dropper.
Miki keeps the pace running smoothly, with something intriguing occurring at practically all times. Narito and Maeda show strong chemistry together, leading a talented cast. Aficionados of peculiar cinematic trips should find plenty to keep them engaged and entertained with this unusual effort.
Convenience Story screened as part of Japan Society’s Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film, which ran from July 26–August 6 in New York City.
