
The film tells the story of Aiko, a 35-year-old mute woman who works in a bowling alley, and her brief romance with Yoshioka, a younger man who works as a postal carrier. The two meet when Aiko accidentally knocks Yoshioka off his bicycle, and they have a sexual encounter soon after. Aiko begins preparing lunchboxes and giving them to Yoshioka at his workplace as a way of expressing affection, which she cannot do verbally.
Directed by Shinji Imaoka, Lunchbox leans on a strong ensemble — Yumika Hayashi, Mutsuo Yoshioka, Lemon Hanazawa — 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 romance titles of 2004.
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