Satoshi Kon isn’t working on nearly the same level here as with Millennium Actress, even if this animated feature has its slight charms. Centering on a trio of homeless wanderers who stumble upon an abandoned baby at Christmas, Kon’s film relies heavily on coincidence and broad humor. The main characters – an alcoholic, a former drag queen and a teen runaway – all have sad back stories, but Kon spends most of his time documenting their bickering antics involving the baby. The result is only occasionally pathos, the tone Kon seems to be striving for. The movie finally gains richness near its end, when there’s a suicide attempt that’s averted in a gesture of lyrical beauty.
