This is one of those movies where you must be patient with. For the first 45 minutes or so, you will believe this film is going nowhere. It doesn`t help that some of the subtitles are poor, and not everything is adequately translated. But if you stick with this story, you will discover that it is a simple, cold, but powerful tale of two lonely, somewhat self-absorbed teenage girls, who feel alienated enough to attempt to connect emotionally with strangers. One girl tries to strike up a friendship with a bus driver, while the other girl tries to run away on a cargo ship, and for a brief time connects with a European member of the crew. When their hopes are dashed, however, the girls take desperate measures. I was not prepared for the conclusion to this seemingly uneventful movie. I did not expect it to be as strong... and as upsetting....as it actually became. I myself was very shocked and upset enough at the end of this movie to say that Sonatine contains the most depressing ending of any movie I`ve seen....so if you are of fragile emotions, and are easily upset, be prepared!!