Senez delivers a moving drama that examines familial connections against the backdrop of Tokyo and Japan’s clean break policy when it comes to family separation.

Jay (Romain Duris in a role that allows him to deliver a stellar performance) drives a cab at night, while he spends his days trying to find the daughter he hasn’t seen in nine years after he and his wife separated. Custody laws in Japan don’t cater very well to foreigners, and he’s been locked out of any relationship he could have had with her.

When happenstance puts his daughter, Lily (Mei Cirne-Masuki, an absolutely endearing actor and a heartfelt performance) in his cab, he’s faced with choice and opportunity about revealing who he is to her.

The film plays out as Jay advises fellow ex-pat Jessica (Judith Chemla, a great turn, by parts angry, bitter, funny and accepting, an incredible role and performance) to be patient. But under that patience, is a trembling burning fury and fire as anger, yearning and love begin to boil over as Jay wrestles with what he will do.

He begins to clash with the culture as he seeks to connect with Lily, but the law isn’t on his side.

With solid and believable performances the film puts us firmly in Jay’s camp, and he seems to be playing it all well and good until he actually comes across Lily. Then the nine years of searching and patience he advised gets thrown right out the window as his own hope is rekindled into a blaze.

But he loves his daughter enough to let her make her own choice.

This one was a powerful, and engaging watch, has a story that’s as detailed as the performances are layered, and you can’t take your eyes off any of the leads, they imbue the story with heartache and believability.

A Missing Part, or Une Part Manquante is a fantastic gem to seek out, and screens one last time on Wednesday here at TIFF.