Theatrical Film (2007) starring Satomi Kobayashi as Taeko, directed by Naoko Ogigami, 7.1/10 IMDb — Critically warm.
Glasses (めがね) is the theatrical film Satomi Kobayashi appeared in during 2007,
directed by Naoko Ogigami, and a marker of the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity — year 25 of her on-screen career.
Glasses in the Filmography
Glasses is
credit #28 of 56 in the chronological filmography, released 25 years after Satomi Kobayashi’s 1982 debut and 18 years before her most recent 2025 credit. It is the only theatrical film she released in 2007.
| Chronological position | credit #28 of 56 |
|---|---|
| Theatrical Film rank | #12 of 23 in this format |
| 2000s position | #9 of 15 in the 2000s |
| Age at release | 42 years (born 1965) |
| 2007 output | 3 credits (this title plus 2 other) |
| Comedy genre peer set | 14 credits share this genre tag |
| Drama genre peer set | 37 credits share this genre tag |
| Previous credit | Dare yori mo mama wo aisu (2006) — 1 year earlier |
| Following credit | 'Megane' kôkai kinen tokubetsu bangumi (2007) — 0 years later |
| IMDb identifier | tt1016307 |
The Role — Taeko
The Character
Taeko
In Glasses, Kobayashi inhabits Taeko — a role calibrated to the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity. The performance carries the restraint and observational stillness that has come to define her later filmography.
Original Japanese Titling
| Japanese title | めがね |
|---|---|
| English release title | Glasses |
Genre Footprint
The film is catalogued under Comedy, Drama on IMDb — placing it among critically warm entries in Kobayashi’s filmography.
Drama
The Production
Format & Vital Statistics
| Format | Theatrical Film |
|---|---|
| Year | 2007 · 2000s |
| Runtime | 1h 46m |
| IMDb rating | 7.1 / 10 |
| Votes | 2,048 |
Director: Naoko Ogigami
Naoko Ogigami directs Kobayashi here — one of 3 documented collaborations between the actress and this filmmaker.
- Maru (2024)
- Kamome Diner (2006)
Recognition for This Title
Mainichi Film Concours
Best Supporting Actress · 2008
In the Career Arc
Position in a 44-Year Career
Released in 2007, this theatrical film sits in the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity, year 25 after Kobayashi’s 1982 debut in I Are You, You Am Me.
Critical Position vs Career Median
The 7.1/10 IMDb score (from 2,048 votes) lands
+0.3 above
her career median of 6.8. Reception band: Critically warm.
Other Kobayashi Releases in 2007
- 'Megane' kôkai kinen tokubetsu bangumi — TV Movie
- Bokura no jidai — TV Series
Full Catalogue Record
“I know what freedom is.”
Synopsis
Harried and overworked, Taeko leaves the city for a much-needed island vacation. Stepping off a propeller plane onto golden sands, she drags her giant suitcase across the beach to Hamada Inn. Owner Yuji is impressed; it's the first time in three years a guest has made it to the inn without getting lost. The next morning Taeko wakes up to the greetings of peculiar fellow vacationer Sakura who leads the townspeople in funny morning calisthenics on the beach. Thus begins Taeko's strange vacation on this strange island full of strange people. At first Taeko finds the laidback attitude and mass idleness hard to bear, but soon she too begins to see the joy in "twilighting".
Production & Billing
| Country of origin | Japan |
|---|---|
| Original language | JA |
| Cast billing position | #1 (lead/principal) |
| Credited as | actress |
Regional Release Titles (13)
| Region | Title | Language | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR | Anteojos | imdbDisplay | |
| BR | Óculos | imdbDisplay | |
| CA | Megane | EN | imdbDisplay |
| CN | 乐活俱乐部 | CMN | alternative |
| CN | 眼镜 | CMN | imdbDisplay |
| GB | Megane | imdbDisplay | |
| GR | Megane (τα γυαλιά) | imdbDisplay | |
| HU | Rövidlátók | imdbDisplay | |
| JP | めがね | JA | imdbDisplay |
| NO | Briller | ||
| PL | Okulary | imdbDisplay | |
| RU | Очки | imdbDisplay | |
| TW | 樂活俱樂部 | imdbDisplay |
Cinematic Keywords
woman director
About Glasses
What role does Satomi Kobayashi play in Glasses?
Satomi Kobayashi plays Taeko in Glasses (2007), a theatrical film directed by Naoko Ogigami.
How is Glasses rated on IMDb?
Glasses holds an IMDb score of 7.1/10 from 2,048 votes — +0.3 above Satomi Kobayashi's career median of 6.8.
What is the original Japanese title of Glasses?
The original Japanese title is めがね, released in 2007.
How long is Glasses?
Glasses runs 1h 46m.
