It’s the flatly sentimental approach to the premise that throws Kore-eda off his game.

Thanks to Kore-edas characteristic practice of thoughtful scripting and gentle direction, the metaphors, though too numerous, land gently and effectively.

The film's poignant depiction of human loneliness is undercut by saccharine notes and a drifting tone.

The film is closer to Spielberg's A.I- Dark yet saccharine. There are secondary stories of other characters we get only glimpses of, and don't quite resonate as it should. Air Doll is not quite the right fit for genteel filmmaker.