BriarMoone
United States
This review may contain spoilers
[Written/Watched 22 Sep, 2019 for Letterboxd. Expanded 1/21/2021]
"Our Love Story" follows the typical formula of the Lesbian Love Story genre. Presumed heterosexuality is challenged by a unique attraction to another woman, somewhat open, but not quite out. The early parts of the film are preoccupied with their sexual exploration before the script finally tires it hand at character development.
Where "Our Love Story" excels is in the normal, slice-of-life moments between Yoon-ju and Ji-soo. When they goof off, when they just talk to each other about their lives. How Yoon-ju's closest friend reacts to the news that she's in a relationship with a woman, is refreshing. He's supporting, teasing, but never condemnatory, and wants to meet Yoon-ju's sweetheart.
Problem is, following the establishment, the relationship between Yoon-ju (an art student) and Ji-soo (a bartender), begins to drag downward into the tried and true roads of "doomed from the start" melodrama that sees their relationship break down almost immediately after it begins.
Ji-soo, despite her self-comfort, fears potential homophobia from her father, who isn't supportive. That insecurity creeps into her relationship with Yoon-ju, and when the ole reliable ex-girlfriend subplot comes around, Ji-soo is no longer a dependable partner.
To be blunt, outside of the family drama, Ji-soo's subplot with the girlfriend who never feels consequential to the film's overall story. It feels forced into the narrative simply to pile on the problems the characters already have, but aren't being dealt with in the story.
When Yoon-ju's art project begins to suffer as a result of her preoccupation with Ji-soo, her circumstances are made worse when her roommate begins to give her the cold shoulder shortly after admitting she's in love with a woman. In a moment that feels out-of-nowhere, Ji-soo blindsides Yoon-ju and declares their relationship is over.
"Our Love Story" never recovers from the low point it languishes in and ends on an rather incomplete note, leaving the audience questioning whether the rekindling of Ji-soo and Yoon-ju's relationship is even worth it or possible. It's not as far as I'm concerned.
"Our Love Story" follows the typical formula of the Lesbian Love Story genre. Presumed heterosexuality is challenged by a unique attraction to another woman, somewhat open, but not quite out. The early parts of the film are preoccupied with their sexual exploration before the script finally tires it hand at character development.
Where "Our Love Story" excels is in the normal, slice-of-life moments between Yoon-ju and Ji-soo. When they goof off, when they just talk to each other about their lives. How Yoon-ju's closest friend reacts to the news that she's in a relationship with a woman, is refreshing. He's supporting, teasing, but never condemnatory, and wants to meet Yoon-ju's sweetheart.
Problem is, following the establishment, the relationship between Yoon-ju (an art student) and Ji-soo (a bartender), begins to drag downward into the tried and true roads of "doomed from the start" melodrama that sees their relationship break down almost immediately after it begins.
Ji-soo, despite her self-comfort, fears potential homophobia from her father, who isn't supportive. That insecurity creeps into her relationship with Yoon-ju, and when the ole reliable ex-girlfriend subplot comes around, Ji-soo is no longer a dependable partner.
To be blunt, outside of the family drama, Ji-soo's subplot with the girlfriend who never feels consequential to the film's overall story. It feels forced into the narrative simply to pile on the problems the characters already have, but aren't being dealt with in the story.
When Yoon-ju's art project begins to suffer as a result of her preoccupation with Ji-soo, her circumstances are made worse when her roommate begins to give her the cold shoulder shortly after admitting she's in love with a woman. In a moment that feels out-of-nowhere, Ji-soo blindsides Yoon-ju and declares their relationship is over.
"Our Love Story" never recovers from the low point it languishes in and ends on an rather incomplete note, leaving the audience questioning whether the rekindling of Ji-soo and Yoon-ju's relationship is even worth it or possible. It's not as far as I'm concerned.
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