Funuke domo, kanashimi no ai wo misero (2007)

The film’s wacky ghoulishness holds your attention, but there’s not much more than that on offer. Despite a lot of manic effort, none of the actors makes an impression.

Seduction, persecution, prostitution, suicide and uneasy laughter follow.

With Kyomi’s manga-drawing skills a key part of the scenario, the visual approach is sometimes too fluffily decorative to let the emotions deliver in full. Eminently likeable nonetheless.

Tonally, it strikes a curious balance between black comedy and melodrama, but visually it’s a striking film.

The idea of step-siblings thrown together in death is a good one: but this wacky, soapy treatment is odd, to say the least.

Crisply shot with visual flourishes punctuating the unfussy direction, despite a lack of carnage, this is an accomplished and impressive depiction of some absolute barnpots. Those who like their laughs lightly flavoured with ash should check it out.