Kento is in this but no, this is not your typical shoujo manga movie, sorry.
This movie does not shy away from showing you the toxicities and struggles of being in an unhealthy relationship. This kind of film is one of the many reasons why I've always liked jdramas. It's the lack of fear of tackling serious and heavy subjects.The couple has its up and down moments and has you questioning whether these two are suited to stay together or not. They could be having a joyful time walking together or playing games together but also get into uncomfortable quarrells at any second. Nagata's character is written to look pathetic as he is extremely insecure, egoistic and short-tempered and seemingly is merely using Saki. Him being with the vigorous and kind Saki starts to change her life for the worst as she seemingly changes as a person, her aspirations and pretty much everything. The movie then does makes you care and sympathize for these two. The chemistry between the two and the story is great and realistic.
Yamazaki Kento's character here is very much different from the usual roles he takes. He should leave the shoujo manga roles to the idols because him taking these more mature roles have really showcased his talents as an actor. I'm not even the biggest fan of him and I'm impressed by his great acting here. He also looks different and mature with the long messy hair and facial hair that he has in this movie. Mayu is no exception, she played the kind and strong Saki really well.
I can't recall if I ever heard any music here but I don't think it's the kind of movie that needs music anyway, the tone of the movie and the story was that appealing and intriguing that it didn't need any music tbh. Rewatch value is low for me, not to say that it wasn't good, I just think I've seen everything already and don't think I need to watch it again.
The ending was nothing short of spectacular.
Highly recommended.
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This review may contain spoilers
Pink and Gray is my all time favorite film, when I heard Yukisada and Horai were teaming up again I was delighted, so keep in mind this review is a little biased.The first thing I noticed when the movie started is Yamazaki Kento's weight loss, which adds quite a bit to the visual representation of his mental health. The cinematography is delightful, the pacing is great, and the acting is superb.
As the tags and synopsis suggests, the story follows a toxic relationship which turns abusive fairly quick.
Nagata starts off as an enthusiastic play-writer, who lives for theater, but ditches his ambition for comfort. Constantly self conscious due to his procrastination, he makes attempts to test Saki's good nature, and belittles her.
Due to the ongoing abuse, the roles reverse and the unkept, homeless looking man we saw at the beginning of the movie, pursuing a beautiful model, turns into a once again seemingly ambitious man who dresses appropriately, and a depressed, shriveled version of now 27 year old Saki.
At a point of no return, Nagata realizes he's lost Saki, finally learning the consequences of his behavior. Saki 'escapes' Tokyo, and goes back to her parents to 'heal'.
It's a very good character study, really could not recommend this movie enough.
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Good Enough
" Theater : A Love Story " is an ambitious movie.Filmed as a theater play and narrated by the main lead, it shows the love but catastrophic relationship between two people who kept the plug on the relationship way too long. And, honestly, their good times were far less than their bad ones. The male lead was self distractive, dragging the girl down with him. The latter could have done better, but, apparently, she just didn't see the harm that she was receiving from him.
So, on that aspect, the movie was great, as it presented a more realistic take on a love story. However, while watching it, it felt like something was missing. Had it be the lack of intimacy between them (they looked more like roommates than lovers), a climax to their toxic relationship, or a burst from the female lead, the whole film felt that it was moving on an andante pace and without a proper introduction or pre-phase to the events that were happening.
That said, the leading lady was hands down, the best thing that the movie had to offer. Not that Kento didn't do a great job in this one, but she was just delightful, emotional, entertaining, relatable, and just amazing when it came to her performance. Also, the ending was brilliant and masterfully handled.
So, overall, five out of ten.
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The best acting from Kento Yamazaki so far
Just finished and I must say, the probability of me watching this again is pretty high.The story follows two individuals, Nagata and Saki, from their weird first encounter to their ill-fated relationship that changes one another for the worse. Both individuals have big dreams. Nagata is a struggling theater director who's awkward and standoffish to everyone around him but dreams of making it big and coming into a lot of money through his plays. Saki is a kind and considerate girl who wants to be an actress in the great city of Tokyo, but life has other plans in store for her.
In the beginning it seems like this will be a cute little love story where the good-natured girl falls for the quiet boy but things take a quick turn as Saki comes to terms with the person Nagata really is. She did state that she knew what kind of person he was from the beginning, but a person can only put up with so much for so long. Though the movie never elaborates, I thought perhaps she stayed with Nagata so long because there was a certain comfort in being with him and it's hard to let go of the people you grow accustomed to. The highs were really high and the lows were so very low. I do however like how this movie didn't shy away from the toxicity that many people face in relationships and the strain it causes on the partners involved. This demonstrates perfectly that just because you love and deeply care about someone doesn't mean they are good for you and they should be in your life. Although it was unclear and never voiced by either of the two I personally believe that Saki and Nagata loved each other. It wasn't the bike scene that had me crying but the convo they had that turned into the play. It was so well done and the dialogue was great. The script for this movie was really good.
I came for Kento Yamazaki and heard he had some good acting chops in this. I wasn't disappointed. This is hands down the best acting I've seen from him so far. He looked unkempt and messy for the part but it was the instigative attitude and seemingly nonchalant front he portrayed that kept me enthralled. I would love for him to do more projects like this. Matsuoko Mayu was just as good.
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This review may contain spoilers
I hate how parasitic Kento is in this movie because of how good Kento is carrying his role here.
I wish everyone watch this at least once in their lifetime. Instead of love story, I would say it is a life story. Story of a man trying to live with love but ended up hurting love.It is a raw depiction of love and life weaved together forming a reality. It took me tearing down by the end for how harsh reality truly is. You can love someone with all your heart but ended in different path; you can struggle life with someone but ended up struggling to run away from them; you can try to hate someone you love but your heart will never forget the one who makes your heart happy :'
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On the characters, damn I felt so bad for the female character T^T The two leads did great. It's one thing that kept me going.
Now on the other side. The down side for me is that the couple didn't really look like a couple. It's a "love story" but it felt short. I think it would've even brought more emotions if their relationship was established well. In the movie, they're just like roommates or friends. I think this has affected the way I saw the ending. In the end, it still felt something's missing. Another thing, the scenes come and go abruptly. It's like the momentum was still building up when it was cut in the middle.
Overall, it's really a good movie. I love the rawness and reality in it. Also, I love its cinematography.
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THE MOVIE THAT BROKE ME ONCE.
It's not your typical love story wherein it will give you butterflies, feel love or in love. This movie did not hesitate to touch a sensitive topic about toxicity in a relationship. How an immature relationship destructive can be. It's extremely sad watching their own lives crumbling down. It's like you want to do something about it. I cried a lot especially in the "bike scene" and the ending. Man, the ending was also special! The fact it is so good. I rewatched it the next day because I want to see the both of them.Was this review helpful to you?
i also liked how his girlfriend acknowledged the role she played in the dynamic, while simultaneously pointing to the fact that she'd outgrown him. she knew what kind of individual he was from the jump, and decided to debase herself and let him treat her like a doormat therefrom.
also, the bike scene is one of the most beautiful and poignant scenes i've ever seen in all of cinema. it had me bawling my eyes out. i was unexpectedly transported back to my very own heartbreak, the pain feeling anew after years of indifference had banished from my mind. still reeling. wow.
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This review may contain spoilers
the whole film is about someone who have seen himself as a character in the play of Nagata
Even i was really waiting for a happy ending like marriage or both changing to the better but even the ending was like that i really apparecaited it was dam realistic. I was quite enjoy this piece of art i really felt i was watching a play where I can see myself both ans Nagata or Saki. Maybe all the time we were like Saki in the public watching this play trying to figure out how this toxic relationship will end and if both of them will survive or not without the other. Nagata was such unique character we really can feel that he was not the right men for her,but we still always trying to give him a chance to chabge.Saki was the classic japanese girl who is ready for everything for her lover but she reach the point of autodestruction she cannot sacrifice herself more than that. Their relationship was really rare to be seen in movies or dramas or whatever this is the realisim the truth of being into a relationship is not all about kiss or sex is about loliness, obsession and facing struggles.The part that made me really appreciated the whole movie was the ending its a goodbye messages and also a dream that will never happen.Was this review helpful to you?
