Movie

Phone Call to the Bar

2011 · 125 min

A low-key, wry detective yarn that ambles through neon-lit streets, trading thrills for quiet character texture and a lingering sense of unease.

Overview: In the Susukino red light district of Sapporo, a private detective (Yo Oizumi) drinks alcohol with his driver Takada (Ryuhei Matsuda) in his favourite bar. There he receives a phone call from a woman who identifies herself as Kyoko Kondo. The woman asks the detective to complete a simple task. The detective, having an excellent sense for danger, thinks the work is easy and accepts the case. The next day he begins the investigation.
How it feels: Melancholic, tense, cynical and warm. Measured and needs your attention.
About: Mystery, deception, isolation, loyalty
Content: Mild violence, sexual content and language. No gore.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: melancholicstrength 2 of 3
tensestrength 2 of 3
cynicalstrength 2 of 3
warmstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: mystery
deception
isolation
loyalty
crime
Places: big city
workplace
Era: contemporary
Audience: adult
Form: serialised
Content intensity: Gore none
Language mild
Violence mild
Sex mild