Bento Harassment

Showing mother's love but mainly teenage

source: Bento Harassment

This film explores the strained relationship of a mother and her teenage daughter going through high school. The main story arc of Bento Harassment suffers from lazy and uninspired writing in parts; two supporting arcs are are also presented, but are ultimately left incomplete. These compound for a feeling of dissatisfaction as a whole, and detract from the impact that the major story points have on the audience. That being said, the main story arc still manages to be genuine and relatable, and the exceptional acting and overall beautiful production value of the film mostly make up for the botched writing.

The title (both original and translated) is the best part of this movie followed by island scenery. Way too long and highly repetitive. Might have made for a great short film (say, 15 minutes in duration). Adding cartoon figures doesn't seem to achieve much beyond silliness. Actors often appear to be struggling with direction and script. Viewed at JICC J-Film Gourmet event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN

The relationship between a mother and her rebellious, teenage, school-going daughter is explored in Bento Harassment, where the former uses her cooking skills to prepare a new food item for the latter's tiffin box every day as a form of punishment. What is a decision made in anger quickly has an unintended impact as the drama goes on to some high lengths to make itself look sentimental and heart-warming, which is not exactly what I found it to be just before the end credits rolled. There's some good humour if that helps you make a decision. TN. (Watched and reviewed at its India premiere at the 3rd Japanese Film Festival of India in Mumbai.)

" Bento Harassment " was actually a very sentimental movie. The start was more on the comedy side, with a fun spin on the "cartoon" bentos. The idea was entertaining, with the daughter - mother relationship being communicated via the lunch boxes. The addition of the cute side story was nice too. The second part of the movie was more on the sad side, with the relationship going through the rocks and the twist towards the end. The performances were pretty good in that part too. Also, it was interesting that they concluded the stories in the end as well, even the side ones. So, overall, eight out of ten.

For the first 20 minutes it was kind of annoying but then you start to understand where it's going with this weird idea and it becomes a decent movie about misunderstandings, rebellion and psychological walls between teenagers and their parents. There is a romance subplot which could have been explored a bit more, which would have rounded the whole thing off. But it's an okay movie.

Bento Harassment shows us a relationship between a girl in teenage age with her mom. It's very unique because its use one of Japan culture that is Bento or provision. Every day has different Bento design and make it so funny.

The title (both original and translated) is the best part of this movie followed by island scenery. Way too long and highly repetitive. Might have made for a great short film (say, 15 minutes in duration). Adding cartoon figures doesn't seem to achieve much beyond silliness. Actors often appear to be struggling with direction and script. Viewed at JICC J-Film Gourmet event. WILLIAM FLANIGAN

" Bento Harassment " was actually a very sentimental movie. The start was more on the comedy side, with a fun spin on the "cartoon" bentos. The idea was entertaining, with the daughter - mother relationship being communicated via the lunch boxes. The addition of the cute side story was nice too. The second part of the movie was more on the sad side, with the relationship going through the rocks and the twist towards the end. The performances were pretty good in that part too. Also, it was interesting that they concluded the stories in the end as well, even the side ones. So, overall, eight out of ten.