Epic doesn’t always have to be grandiose, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s subtle five-hour drama is proof. Following the lives of four female friends, Happy Hour investigates the women at mid-life and their friendship as they each work through personal struggles and events that will send them slowly spiraling. Hamaguchi builds his character drama not only out of conversations but also the four women’s more understated reactions, gestures and reflections while they find comfort and conflict in each other’s company. The four lead actresses, all first-time actors, shared the Best Actress award at the Locarno Film Festival.