The Last 10 Years (2022)

A reason to fear death, a reason to live.

Before meeting each other, both leads have this thing in common: they couldn't dream about the future, getting ready to die was something they couldn't stop thinking about. Matsuri knew she wouldn't live more than 10 years, Kazu had 0 reasons to be alive.

After getting closer, their lives changed, Kazu realized life could be beautiful, his life that until this time was monochrome , finally became colorful, falling in love changed his mindset, and even after getting rejected by the girl he loved so much he couldnt step back, now even if she couldnt accept his feelings, Kazu found another reason to live, he wanted to stay by Matsuri side and help her pass through those hard times, he thought someday she would be cured.

But for Matsuri, it was painful, when she first heard about her ilness she couldn't cry, seeing her family crying made her feel like she needed to be stronger than everyone, so with the thoughts of "there's nothing i can do about it" she denied her feels, denied her pain. But everything changed when she experienced the feeling of falling in love, spending her last
years with the one she loved made her finally realize how much she would be missing when her death time comes.

Read More

Over The Past Ten Hours..

This film is the perfect example of what sets pieces from Japan apart from Westerns, Kdramas, etc. A delicate,heavy story woven by it’s magical Ost, sharp camera language, and effortlessly masterful performances. No where else will you have a similar style in similar executions. The heaviest of topics leading to self reflections that you’re not aware of until it ends.

The Last 10 Years leaves more questions than answers, and not for the film itself. After finishing the film i spent the past 10 hours falling in and out of sleep to the Ost on repeat and tears drawn to the rhythm. Why do such different situations and occurrences hit so close to home? What’s so similar in my own life that has me so empathetic of these characters? Why am I, a grown man, waking up 3 in the morning with puffy eyes over a movie? For fucks sake do i have to check if i wet the bed as well? Are all of these emotions simply the film or realizations from watching it?

I’m usually not a fan of the typical pacing dramas and films from japan, and it’s quite rare to spot one that steps outside of that norm and delivers a deliberate, smooth flow throughout. Especially considering the time restriction of films, taking your time to give more impact towards the climax will always have my upmost respect. Mix that with realistic dialogue,compelling performances, and a subtle melo tone and you got a work from japan at it’s very peak. THIS is what I watch these works for. THIS is what I can’t get anywhere else and feel the same uplifting overtones of a very dark, depressing story.

A slight flaw i find with almost any decent movie, especially ones this good, is that there’s always something more i want to see but not given. Some more fleshed out development instead of the bright, fluffy montages we received of our leads’ bond getting closer would’ve sufficed. Alas, the more you give me and the better it is, the more i want. There’s a very thin line of Perfect between the large margins of “Draggy” and “Not Enough” , this falls in the latter for me.

Films like this, in my opinion, are must watches not only nationally but internationally as well. Such heavy topics delivered in such an impactful way that teaches us things we never considered before needs the recognition. This level of quality is rare to come by. First love is rare to come across. Life itself is such a blessing that is rarely cherished amongst many of us the way it should be. Death is seen too much as this inevitable outcome that some unfortunately succumb to sooner than others. We sometimes empathize for selfish reasons. Some may want to end it all with no concerns of how it effects the people around them. Life can be this seemingly endless journey to a singular destination one wants to rush towards from unfortunate hands dealt, or it could be the journey itself as you cherish a blessing others aren’t given , with those around you through thick and thin that you’ve been lucky to have been dealt.

The Last Ten Years makes use of depressing desires to accentuate the appreciation and beauty of life and finding your own happiness in it. A masterful artwork i hope receives the attention and praise it deserves down the line.

Read More

"A decade, is that a long time or no time at all?"

Going into The Last 10 Years there was no denying what type of movie I would be watching-a story about a young woman with a terminal illness based on a true story. But as with any genre, it’s how the story is implemented as to whether it touches you or not. The moment the director cues the violins and tries to manipulate my feelings, I tend to dig in and become resentful. This film was quite the opposite. While the music was emotional and lovely, the story slowly unfolded allowing the characters to make their way through decisions about life, death, relationships, and whatever the future means.

When Matsuri is in the hospital she is given a camcorder by a dying mother and admonished to, “Live every minute to the fullest.” That advice is hard to follow after she returns home and boredom overtakes her. Diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension her list of restrictions and medications is quite long. She goes to a middle school class reunion where no one knows about her illness and reconnects with old friends. The standard questions arise about marriage, children, and work. Kazuto, a boy she doesn’t remember, attempts to reach out to her. Kazuto has his own issues with life and death and before long, he, his friend Takeru, Matsuri and her editor friend, Sanae, begin to hang out. In the dark about her illness, Kazuto is clearly smitten but Matsuri has her daily grind with avoiding death to deal with as well as her loving but concerned family.

Matsuri and Kazuto both had their issues with life’s disappointments and whether death would be a tragedy or a gift. As they grew closer, both began to embrace life more. For Kazuto, the future held promise and an unknown amount of time. For Matsuri, tomorrow was always in question knowing her time was imminently finite. No one gets out of this life alive, but for Matsuri, that harsh reality faced her every day. I was happy there was no countdown clock as if the 10 years prognosis was ironclad. The median life expectancy for someone with PAH is 5 years. Each crisis she faced could have been her last. The film didn’t throw roadblocks into her relationship with Kazuto just for the standard effect. Matsuri not only had to take Kazuto’s feelings into consideration but her own as well. She did what she needed to do to be strong enough to face death.

Komatsu Nana gave a beautifully nuanced performance as Matsuri. Layers of emotions peeled forward and back as she portrayed Matsuri dealing with her day-to-day struggles with Death hanging over her shoulder. Ever aware of her parents’ pain, she put a mask on for them most of the time and for her friends. When the dam finally broke and her fears and disappointments rolled over her, Komatsu’s performance was raw and real. Ever cautious with Kazuto so as not to get too close, but staying close enough to bask in his warmth, you could feel the walls she kept carefully erected. And finally, as Matsuri’s body began to collapse, the slow acknowledgement of a clock ticking down.

Far from being maudlin, The Last 10 Years was an exercise in living well and making the most of life regardless of circumstances. Whatever Matsuri gained-a relationship, a job, a friendship, she was always aware how close she was to losing them. Yet she still found the strength to try. She was searching for meaning and just the simple experiences of living. I was here. I lived. I loved. And in her strength, she gave Kazuto a love for life as well.

“My life might look like just another boring existence but you’ll always be with me.”

16 May 2024

Read More

a reason to live

like the title suggests, this movie is definitely a tear-jerking one and that's not a spoiler. After the midway point I was just trying not to tear up every 5 minutes. The movie definitely gets you thinking about life and the beauty of living life to it's fullest. It also gets you thinking about death, how nobody is truly prepared for when the time comes. Overall the film is so sad but so beautiful. I appreciate how the screenwriters kept it real up until the end.

Nana Komatsu and Kentarou are pretty solid, veteran actors so there's definitely no disappointment in the acting. The OST was so beautiful as well (radwimps..what could go wrong). Overall highly recommend if you're up for some super heartbreaking content. (preferably not in the middle of the night though) ^^

Read More

MASTERPIECE

I rarely watch/enjoy romance movies, but this one has actually touched my heart.
The plot is simple but extremely well executed. The development between the 2 main characters is incredible. The visuals are really diverse and beautiful, going from urban cities like Tokyo, to Ocean and Snowy mountains. The acting is also very realistic, you feel all emotions, especially sadness. In addition, the sound track is wonderful since it was done by Radwimps (Your name-Suzume-Weathering With You etc.)
Highly recommend it. If you liked the anime movie : I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, you will truly ~enjoy this one as well.

Read More

Beautiful

Cinematography was impeccable, like really really gorgeously done. it was so beautiful the film used, transitions, and the acting was superb. This ´ohie was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. it’s a must watch in my opinion, I was bawling so hard, and love the whole cast, it was perfect even down to her dad, mom, and sister there was so much warmth and love.

I hope you try to watch this, this was beautifully executed. there were no dragging parts, and the Male lead is so beautiful and pleasing on the eyesX and their acting was excellent I felt every scene

Read More

Triste e bonito ao mesmo tempo

Temos dois extremos nessa narrativa: de um lado alguém com os dias contados e do outro um que está querendo por fim na própria vida.
Kazuto não vê motivos para continuar vivo e Matsuri não tem mais que 10 anos de vida.

É palpável a luta e peso que carrega a protagonista desde que teve sua morte anunciada, ela tem medo de viver, ela age como se já estivesse morta, os sinais de vida que transbordam na fala dos outros a incomoda e a lançam num estado de hesitação.

Mas quando a proximidade com Kazuto acontece acaba que ambos encontram ali algum tipo de confronto com a dor que marca o outro e, isso que faz os dois darem uma chance para a vida.

As atuações são muito realistas, você sente todas as emoções, principalmente a tristeza.

A ost é composta por músicas num ritmo lento e pra mim isso enfatizou a sensação de saudade/tristeza de alguém que sutilmente aceita o próprio fim diante de uma morte que não pode evitar.

O filme definitivamente faz você pensar sobre a vida e a beleza de vivê-la ao máximo, é triste mas ao mesmo tempo bonito.

Read More