A Girl Named Ann offers the spectator one of most upsetting confrontations with the way the societal and familial Other can fail the subject.

Based on a true story, a searing portrait of domestic abuse, corrupt well-meaning cop, addiction, regretful crusading journalist, and the impact of pandemic on Kawai’s moving portrayal of heartbreaking title character.

There’s a fascinating dynamic between her and Sato; the latter’s wild-card energy keeps the film from succumbing to earnestness. When his character gets sidelined later on, the story starts to falter.

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