Midnight Diner

In a small Tokyo alley, the Master (Kaoru Kobayashi) runs a unique izakaya that opens only after midnight, serving a diverse clientele of gangsters, strippers, and local characters. When Tamako Kawashima (Takaoka Saki), a homeless girl, begs for a job, the Master hires her and discovers her exceptional cooking skills. As patrons' lives intertwine within the intimate bar, the film explores their personal stories and connections. Amidst the nightly gatherings and shared meals, an unexpected possibility of romance emerges for the Master, challenging his long-standing single status. This 2014 Japanese movie was directed by Joji Matsuoka, offering a warm, slice-of-life narrative centered around human connections in an unconventional dining setting.