This is a tale of a sex doll business. The first act is mostly about a small time manufacturer of high-end sex toys constantly on the brink of failure. It is packed with manikin "nudity" (and, occasionally, what appears to be live models acting as dummies) as well as touchy-feely and other sophomoric silliness. There is a lot of running around inside of a small space (it appears to be an extended garage) used as a design and fabrication site. The business model (pun intended) evolves from best-guess abstract and gross design of dolls based on what a diminishing customer base might like (but does not) to the use of "realistic" molds from a figure model. The latter approach causes sales to sky rocket. Actress Yû Aoi plays the model. The second act is a story of the marriage between the doll designer and the now apparently retired figure model. It is loveless (the designer is more interested in his business than his wife) until the wife is diagnosed with an incurable disease. To absolutely no one's surprise, the dead wife "lives on" as an upgraded sex doll. The movie is way too long in part due to excruciating details of doll manufacturing processes. Lead actress Aoi very much looks the part, but is not all that convincing as she struggles to act the part. The director occasionally obtains some solid acting from others in the cast. Cinematography, lighting, and sound are okay. Subtitles are a bit busy. Not especially recommended. Viewed on streaming. WILLIAM FLANIGAN.
Review of Romance Doll
