AN

Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase), a stall holder who specialises in dorayaki, a pancake sandwich filled with the titular AN (sweet red bean paste), is approached by the 76 year old Tokue as an applicant for part-time work who says she can improve on his An recipe and drops off a sample to prove it.
Tokue ( Kirin Kiki) is a delightful eccentric character with a sorrowful history who is able to see beauty in all around her and exerts her influence over Sentaro and one of his regular customers, the school student Wakana .  Both Wakana and Sentaro have stories and listening to the stories of the world around her is Tokue's special talent. Visually beautiful this is a film that reminds us to be patient,  to be mindful of the world and the people around us and not to be too quick to judge others based on rumour and gossip.
The unfolding of the stories here is gently paced, some may think too slowly, but not in my view.  Director Naomi Kawase nails it.

☆☆☆☆