Third Act (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

Robert A. Nakamura was a filmmaker and Asian-American activist who made a splash in the film industry in the 1980’s and beyond. Here, in the Third Act of his life, he reflects on the change he made in the world and the relationships he has formed over the years. This film is brought to life by Nakamura’s son, Writer-Director Tadashi Nakamura, as he hopes to showcase his father’s successes. 

Any cinephile is likely to find some piece of Third Act to appreciate, as Robert played a role in helping to propel the artform forward, widening its range. I appreciate his place in the history of cinema, the simple fact that he wanted it to be all that it could be, but I’m not entirely sure that Tadashi does a sufficient job of shining light on this aspect of Robert’s life. That’s not to say that Tadashi didn’t spend enough time focusing on Robert’s successes throughout the course of Third Act, but to say that Tadashi does a poor job of pacing and structuring his film in order to allow viewers to remain focused and/or interested in its content. I desperately wanted to care more for Robert’s story, but I couldn’t muster up the ability to remain focused for nearly two hours. There’s some semblance of an intrigue buried beneath the surface of Tadashi’s Third Act, but he’s unable to piece it together in a fashion that will afford it much success. 

What does manage to work in favor of Third Act is the passion that both Robert and Tadashi share for one another and the rest of their family. If you have a heart you’ll likely find something within this film to appreciate. Third Act, beyond its attempt to showcase Robert’s contribution to the film industry, is a story about father and son, their relationship, and their harrowing understanding that their time together is limited and coming to a close. I don’t necessarily believe that this documentary needed to choose a single lane, but had Third Act focused more heavily on the emotional aspect present within, I do believe that I would have appreciated it far more. 

As with any film, narrative, documentary, or otherwise, a delicate balance is imperative in order for Third Act to find success. Tadashi comes nowhere close to finding that balance, and creates a film that struggles to entertain viewers. As Third Act began I thought to myself the implications of just how interesting the film could be, and I still found myself incredibly disappointed. Emotion should have been the primary focus of Third Act, but Tadashi doesn’t take the necessary steps to ensure that his film resonates with viewers. 

Directed by Tadashi Nakamura. 

Written by Victoria Chalk & Tadashi Nakamura. 

Starring Tadashi Nakamura, Robert A. Nakamura, Prince Paulo Nakamura, Karen Ishizuka, etc. 

5/10 = WORTH WATCHING, BUT YOU’VE BEEN WARNED