Hanare goze Orin

My 5th Shinoda (after Pale Flower, Under the Blossoming Cherry Tree, Double Suicide, and Himiko)

A greatly affecting first hour was sullied by a disappointing turn of theme and plot, to where the film became less interested in vindicating it's sympathetic, central character, as it shifted its focus towards a more macro and less compelling cause. Despite being disappointed in how the events of the film were resolved, a litany of beautiful moments still linger in my mind, and I consider Ballad of Orin to be a worthwhile experience overall.