The Most Terrible Time in My Life is a dangerous movie. Not because it's beautiful, or because it transmits subversive messages and depicts graphic violence. Such considerations are dangerous but inevitable in the case of this wonderful film, because it is composed of the most basic elements.
Nothing here seems exceptional, other than the fact that it is a Japanese film.
It is not the content that matters, but rather how well the director can erase him or herself from that content and vanish from the picture. The fact that The Most Terrible Time in My Life seems effortless and basic does not mean making a great film is easy, but that the director worked hard to make this flawless illusion possible. This aspect of the movie is especially fascinating for Americans, because racism in this country is usually associated with skin color rather than language. But I think all this race stuff is secondary.