I'm no expert, but I think this is a great addition to Asian queer cinema, especially when you think about how same-sex marriages isn't even legal in Japan (as of June of 2022). This movie gave a sincere and wholesome story to a gay relationship and, most importantly, let them have a future of happiness. I think it's a brave movie.

This review will have vague/brief comments and then will have more detailed-specific spoilers.

Vague spoilers:

From the trailers, it seemed like the entire plot of the movie was going to be about their separation due to work and how they were going to struggle with communication and not being together. Which, I think, would've been fine too but it would've been a lot of strain and angst for a new budding relationship. Instead, the movie pivots halfway and adds another layer: it's about them, after figuring out what they truly want, moving forward together. It's a coming out story to the people they love. And it is handled so carefully, so beautifully. And the supporting cast makes their appearances, which was a delight, but this story is really about Adachi and Kurosawa's future. And I cried, laughed, and my heart was full. I'm so so happy for them. There is a tiny thread about the second couple that I felt could've been better, but I still enjoyed seeing them again on my screen.

The pacing may not be to the liking of those who wants something more fast-paced and exciting. This movie (and this drama) has never been about that. It's always been a gradual reveal and gradual understanding. It's tender. The quietness of the film amplifies the importance of their expressions, actions, and words. Truly well done.

Please go watch this movie (after watching the drama). You won't regret it.

Now, here is where I gotta be more specific and spoil the movie because I need to address a main complaint that I keep seeing from viewers.

STOP HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT THE MOVIE.
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I'm just going to say it: we do not get an explicit, lip-to-lip kiss. There. So if you're here to see that, you won't get that. They do kiss but, with the camera angle, you are not shown the lips touching.

People complaining about not seeing a kiss in the movie is a valid opinion, but a lot of people seems to fetishized it more than anything. They just want to see two cute/hot men kiss. That's, well, problematic. Especially when it's coupled with wrong reasonings like claiming that the movie "queerbaited" the audience. Please, stop throwing that word around like that. Please, look up the definition of "queerbait." You are wrong if you think that this movie (or the drama) queerbaited. Oh my goodness. Also, please stop assuming the actors' sexualities and stop assuming that they have complete control over how the movie is made. They're actors. They're not the producers, directors, editors, or stakeholders. Unless the actors have said it themselves that they don't want to kiss same-sex actors, please stop claiming that it's the actors who are "too straight" to do a gay kiss. I beg you.

Personally, I think a kiss could've been cool but I have no issue either way. I think this movie could've championed LGBTQ rights even more than it already does by showing an explicit kiss, thus breaking the taboo of seeing same-sex people kiss. But it didn't do that. Fine. I can understand in some ways considering Japanese's current trend of BL dramas and how Japan literally still don't recognize same-sex marriages.

The movie still delivered a beautiful story that focused on the main characters' growth, especially Adachi, and focused on choosing to be together publicly. It's well done. Adachi in the drama and at the start of the movie has often relied on his power to understand people and to gather the courage to communicate to others. Sometimes, he relies on it TOO much and so the movie focuses on getting Adachi to move away from that. Once they truly settle into one another, they think about their future together--and they do want that: to be together for as long as they live. And they don't want to be hold back by laws and society. So the movie gently shows the anxiety and difficulty in coming out to the people you care about but the necessity in doing so and the importance of it.

I love this movie, this drama, and these characters. It never fails to make me feel a whirlwind of emotions. Also, the fact that they get married--when Japan again literally does not recognize same-sex marriages at this time--is SO important. The lack of explicit lip-to-lip kissing truly doesn't undermine anything in this movie.