Schoolgirl Minako (Saki Terashima) discovers her mother, who left her father for another man many years previous, has returned to live in their Sendai suburb. Resentful, Minako spies on her estranged mother, (Asuka Kurosawa) and Yu (Himawari Ono), the 8-year-old product of her failed second marriage. Befriending her half-sister at a shopping mall, Minako entices the younger girl away to a beach-side town where their recently deceased, shared grandparents resided. Initially appearing to be typical Nipponese indie fare, pic grows in intensity and blooms into a quietly profound film. Central perf by Terashima is melded into something special by Kinoshita's assured helming. Pic has the washed-out look favored by Japan's indie lensers. Tech credits are low-budget but pro.

Camera (color), Osame Maruike; editor, Shinichi Fushima; music, Kiyoko Ogino; production designer, Tatsuo Ozeki. Reviewed at Berlin (Kinderfest14plus), Feb. 16, 2006. Running time: 92 MIN.