In the City of Dawn (aka Reimei) is a Japanese thriller directed by Kei Ishikawa and released in 2011. The movie revolves around a forbidden love affair between a man and a woman who are connected by a dark secret from the past.
Goro Kishitani plays the role of Watabe, a middle-aged businessman who appears to be leading a mundane life. One day, he meets Kyoko Fukada's character Nakanishi at a batting center, and they strike up a conversation. Nakanishi is a young and attractive subordinate worker who seems to be interested in Watabe. The two of them slowly develop a friendship that soon turns into a passionate love affair.
However, their happiness is short-lived when Watabe discovers that Nakanishi is the prime suspect in a murder case that happened fifteen years ago. The victim was her father's ex-lover, and Nakanishi was seen arguing with her shortly before the murder occurred. The case was never solved, and the statute of limitations is set to expire soon, which means that Nakanishi will not be prosecuted.
As Watabe learns more about Nakanishi's troubled past and the circumstances surrounding the murder, he becomes conflicted. On the one hand, he wants to help Nakanishi clear her name and find out the truth about what really happened. On the other hand, he fears that his involvement in the case might put his own life in danger.
The movie is a slow-burning thriller that keeps the viewer on edge throughout its runtime. The performances of Kishitani and Fukada are excellent, and they deliver nuanced portrayals of characters who are complex and often morally ambiguous. The film also benefits from its moody, atmospheric cinematography, which captures the seedy underbelly of Tokyo's nightlife and the sense of foreboding that permeates the story.
Overall, In the City of Dawn is a compelling mystery drama that will appeal to fans of Japanese cinema and crime fiction.