Filmfest München: そして父になる (Like Father, Like Son)

The babies-switch subject matter could have been material for tearjerking fireworks, but under the restrained direction of Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda, the slightly overlong parenthood drama "そして父になる (Like Father, Like Son)" is mostly rather muted, at times avoiding sentimentality nearly to the point of overcompensation (when the motives of the one "villain" in the movie are revealed, one almost wants to cheer for someone finally willing to admit to some emotions). Add to that an overall lack of surprise in the story, and the movie could seem to meander a little in the mid-section. Still, the film is handsomely made and features such good-naturedness and guileless child performances you can't help but feel pleased and touched in the end.