I have to say that, overall, I enjoyed the movie more than the show.
The movie was able to successfully continue where it left off, when it comes to the main couple, instead of falling back on the same narrative the show used. The debacles of the series, the doubts about identity and the nature of the relationship, are gone from this, and Haruta and Maki have issues and concerns that, even if still rooted in their characterizations and instances of miscommunication, respond to a plot advancing and not falling behind on safe paths already done by the series.
The two characters that arrive, Shison Jun’s and Sawamura Ikki’s, are a lot more amenable than I thought when watching the trailer, and their natures develop throughout in unexpected ways. Both are good actors, so that lifted up the standard.
My biggest issue with the show (maybe it’s just me) was the boss’ character. I felt that using comedy derived of lack of consent situations and a caricature of homosexuality didn’t work in this show, although I understand that it might have been a safer bet to include a caricature instead of outright dealing with lgbtq+ subjects in the open, without the “satire” persona to distract some audiences. This is also why I skipped the Sky series, because the part they kept was this dynamic.
In this movie, it’s less bothersome. It’s not gone, but it’s not as bad. At first, it was going really well, and I realized that, as long as they allowed the boss to have his own narrative, it may be alright. But they couldn’t let go completely from this shtick, and to do so they had to retort to very nonsensical camp, which didn’t ruin the movie but, considering there was SO MUCH MORE going on, I have to ask if it was really necessary.
There are tropes, yes, but I feel that this movie took the fact that it is an mlm piece of media more seriously than the series, which allowed Haruta and Maki to have conversations in which they realistically put out there the limitations that Japanese society would set if they want to “marry”. So far, I've seen this only in jdramas like What Did You Eat Yesterday?, while much of what is considered “BL content” just leaves it at a ring and vague promises, which is what the series was going for. The fact that they talked about it, that their future together was realistically explored to an extent, made me feel that they took themselves more seriously and that the show is standing firmer on the subjects it portrays. Without losing nonsense and comedy and all that stuff people like about the series.
The female characters are a bit lost in this one. One thing I liked about the show is that they had very good female characters, which is something regular "BL" storylines lack of. In the movie, some of them show up but not as primarily as in the series. It can be understood, though, because of the lack of time (I’ll leave out the discourse on Kaneko Daichi barely scraping legal age between the series and the movie and the relationship they put him in). I really liked the character of the chairman’s daughter and wish she would have been treated better, but we can’t have everything.
I don’t think the histrionic moments and overall energy of both the series and the movie are for everyone, but the movie gave the series the step forward it needed, introducing more substance to the main relationship, which I genuinely wish had been even more focused. Because even as a step forward from series one and advancing in its narrative, there's still hesitance towards abandoning certain “safe” tropes, and the movie didn’t need some of them. When you have the personal relationship issues submerged in a) new characters that are important for the plot, b) the boss’ antics being partially back, c) the campy plotline that has genuine emotional moments but also explosions and guns, d) most characters from the series showing up at some point or another; you wonder if maybe the audience would have responded to it just as well with a little less of all of that and a little more of the core relationship that has become so interesting and refreshing.
Because it’s refreshing to see, even with all the camp and nonsense, a relationship between two people in their late 20s/early 30s figuring out life as they go and their identities as well. That’s the heart of this series, I feel like. And it works because both Haruta and Maki as characters work together. Even if Tanaka Kei is sometimes at a 10 for too long.
All in all, I enjoyed it, more than the series, and I’ll probably watch it again. If you liked series 1, I think this is a must watch for you. If you want more down-to-earth-dramatic type of dramas and you are not familiar with or fond of jdrama humor, it might be a complicated one to navigate, but it still has genuine moments I think you’d enjoy.
If they want a series 3, or another instance of this, they better continue where this left off and ditch the AU ideas, because this is where it’s at.
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Great, funny, and wholesome.
The movie did not disappoint at all, well ish. I won’t go to details so you can enjoy the movie, but what I can tell you is that; they did bring that comedy that is known to have. The over-the-top face expression, the great acting, and the comedy genius that is not over the top.The best part of the movie is how they perfectly picked up where they left off. You find Haruta working on his last days of his last year working overseas when something unplan happened. This will take you back to Japan. Maki is not working at the same location: this is how it unfolds the movie.
It brings a new topic and honestly, a very real topic for many couples: the fear of not been sure if there is a future.
The movie definitely had a great bugged and you will find more effect, location, and better music. Now, saying all that, please have in mind that this is a Japanese BL, and for such, there are many red tapes that they have to work with. Don’t expect many kissing and sexual implicit scenes. After all, the Japanese culture is very reserved, so they are taking longer to open up regarding these types of shows or even topics. So, if you are expecting major scenes like the Thai and Philippine shows, don’t. But give yourself a break about that and enjoy a wholesome movie with a great message.
I’m not so happy of the ending, but again, even I had to remind myself that; this is a Japanese BL movie and they love to give a message in a meaningful and expressive way…..LOL.
I hope you enjoy the show and that my review help you understand what is about to happened without any spoilers.
I truly did enjoy the movie so much that I’m glad that I waited for my spring break to fully enjoy it.
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another crack comedy in the Ossan's Love franchise
Overall: there is a lot of ridiculousness with the plot and characters but it's obviously intentional and I did laugh several times during the movie which is about 2 hours long (make sure to watch the very cute post credits scene at the end). Aired officially internationally on GagaOOLala in December 2023 when the platform picked up almost the entire Ossan's Love franchise https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/2118/ossans-love-the-movie Note: the movie should be watched directly after the 2018 series, the Love in the Sky takes place in an alternate universe/totally different plot and is not a continuation of the 2018 seriesContent Warnings: past death, threatened violence, kidnapping/held against will
What I Liked
- how the movie started with that chase/action scene and then another action scene towards the end
- fun comedy moments
- the actors made me cry towards the end with talking about marriage equality, the challenge of having a family and their love for each other
Room For Improvement
- how Maki wouldn't let him explain
- could have used a few more sweet moments before the conflict started
- how a character asked a certain person for permission to marry before asking her
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but have to say didn't like Maki much in the drama and don't like him any more, here... he a total drama queen that is all about the drama - and he rather run away and keep quite, then voice his thoughts / doubts and do anything that would further the relationship, he supposedly wants with Haruta. while Haruta who is the bumbling idiot, that is new to life in a relationship, let alone a gay one, does all the hard emotional and psychically work - giving his all. even if he "fall" he gets up all on his own, and owns up to his faults - asks for forgiveness and works at trying to keep them together, and yet he isn't cherished by Maki.
if anything Maki and everyone around Haruta (like his best-bud Arai, his own mother, not to mention Maki's dad) act like Maki is "slumming it" and thus Haruta should be so grateful - that no matter the reason or who is at fault, he is the only one who needs to "work" and either accept sh*t as is, or be better - and if there is any development (like in the drama) it came/comes only from Haruta... and the little Maki offered here, didn't endear him to me, as it didn't compare to what Haruta's brought to the table.
the character's that really made this movie for me - other then Haruta of course - Chief Kurosawa, brought his A-game like in the drama and gave it his all.. and have to say cause of him - i laughed so hard my stomach hurt - but i also loved him, cause he was the only one who stood-up to Maki , like i though he deserved - he called him out for not appreciating Haruta, belittling him, let alone running away when things got tough or cause he couldn't handle his feeling - so how could i not love the Chief ???
Justice the new addition was a breath of fresh air - in spite of him resembling Haruta (personality wise - they might as well have been the same dude) and seeing them both interact, really gave me life - it wasn't "heavy" and a lot of manipulative, mind games like when Haruta and Maki interacted. i for one so wished something came out of that relationship - but this was taken in another route - still stand by my though, that Haruta deserves better then Maki - he might not thing so - but that's cause Maki is his first and only love and so he doesn't know better... but in spite of me getting annoyed at Maki, i enjoyed this very much cause of everyone else and even liked the little side stories - which i usual zone out on...
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Cute and Funny but made no sense
The series is funny and light hearted. I enjoy the over the time drama at times and it does make me laugh with the things that make no sense either, but this was a bit more horrible then the first part of the series. I get they kind of wanted to give you more about the after but there was to many empty moments that made no sense and things were missing in the storyline that never explained. Sadly this was a downer and once again to many love triages that just get boring and repetitive. I go enjoy the actors but some time its way over done, and god to I hate the dumb yelling throughout the series. I love Maki and Haruta together and they have a sweet chemistry but hate the conflict what makes no sense and still never really showing the relationship love I always hope to see, always looks like bromance. Haruta is to kind with everyone where it looks like is is always flirting with everyone. Justice character made no sense but to show traits that Maki had in ways. I guess its meant to be over done but sadly fell short and lost its way. to many things made no sense even the beginning with Maki walking in on his guy in bed with another one, like really he want from straight to now trying to show him gay and sleeping with another guy. This is beyond ridicules at times. I was hoping for more with the growth of there relationship in stead got everyone playing out of character and not for the better. I do enjoy the actors and what they bring but once again felt no real love or growth of the characters instead they all make no sense and come apart.Was this review helpful to you?
Perfection!
This story is a classic one as it reflects an age-old tale of a ‘mid-life’ crisis. While season one is 5 years and the sequel movie is 4 years ago, both ‘hold up’ today as being relevant, funny, and still charming. Beyond that, both are wondrously entertaining. It is funny. Very funny – throughout. And it completely held my attention. That is hard to do. To sustain a level of humor and constantly recreating realities that are funny is not easy to do, but this series and movie does so with great skill. The comedic timing is sheer perfection, and the physical comedy is outstanding especially for Tanaka Kei as Haruta Sochi. Many others also displayed great comedic timing as well. That is a reflection not only of good acting talent but also of exemplary directing. Both the series and movie have their slow moments, but they are few and far between.Was this review helpful to you?
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Funny
This was a solid 3/5. It was good but not extraordinary. It started out a bit too much like a drama, a bit heavy. But then it juat got super weird and that is the kind of Ossans love I live for. The sauna was the stupidiest thing ever and it was great. Also the scene in the burning building when the chief and Maki is coming to save Haruta.Also don't think too much about how fire and explosions work because they have a life of their own in this movie.
But the top best thing with this whole series is how it is a non-issue that almost everyone is gay. I want more movies like this where it is just love, it doesn't have to be a statement or anything else behind it.
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Funny But Unnecessary
A funny though unnecessary sequel which didn't add anything important to the story of Haruta and Maki. It was a bit over-the-top and way too melodramatic, especially in its last act with a random kidnapping subplot which felt like watching a completely different movie to be honest. All in all, it was fun though fluffy. I got to spend some more time with the unique characters of Ossan's Love.A funny though unnecessary sequel which didn't add anything important to the story of Haruta and Maki. It was a bit over-the-top and way too melodramatic, especially in its last act with a random kidnapping subplot which felt like watching a completely different movie to be honest. All in all, it was fun though fluffy. I got to spend some more time with the unique characters of Ossan's Love.
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Haruta à la sauce explosive
Gros gros coup de cœur pour "Ossan's Love : Love or Dead" !On retrouve ici toute la petite bande de la première saison avec de l'action en plus du comique déjà instillé dans la série du début.
Nous avions quitté Haruta dans la saison 1 avec une relation débutante mais également un départ pour l'étranger. Ici, Haruta revient mais se rend rapidement compte que les choses ont changées et on voit les difficultés et les écueils qu'il va devoir gérer non seulement dans l'entreprise mais aussi dans sa relation.
Tout cela traité avec une sous-intrigue mystérieuse, avec des relents de films d'action, qui va devenir de plus en plus dominante.
Transporter la série romantique sur le plan du film d'action est, selon moi, une très bonne idée car on part avec une base solide, connue par les téléspectateurs et on donne un élan de plus au film qui est particulièrement rafraichissant et redonne de l’intérêt a l'histoire qui aurait pu verser dans le banal sans cela.
Des moments à mourir de rire, des instants émouvants, un scénario qui tient la route, que demander de plus ?
Maintenant, à vous de vous faire votre avis.
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