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Movie Info & Details
Release Year2020
Runtime1h 41m
LanguageJapanese
CertificationNR
GenresTV Movie, Drama, Mystery
Votes2
DirectorMasayuki Ochiai
WritersTakehiko Hata, Tokuro Nukui
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.5 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsThe Smiling Man
About The Smiling Man
Based on a novel of by Nukui Tokuro, Hohoemu Hito tells the story of Nito Toshimi who, after graduating from Japan’s most difficult university and founding a job at a major city bank, marries Shoko and have a daughter, Amina. Nito, while leading a life that looks like the picture of happiness and being the envy of everyone, is charged with the murder of his wife and young child. At his trial, he reveals a shocking motive for the crime: “I wanted space for books.”
Directed by Masayuki Ochiai, The Smiling Man leans on a strong ensemble — Tori Matsuzaka, Machiko Ono, Katsuhisa Namase — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about tv movie titles of 2020.
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