A relationship between a 17 year old girl and a 35 year old guy seems creepy, and if not portrayed correctly it can go terribly wrong. However, this has to be one of the best student-teacher relationships that I have seen. They were very likable together and none of it seemed forced or stupid. Both the older guy and the younger girl had solid reasons to fall for someone so unexpected. I really liked their love. And I was touched by the girl. In the beginning, she is a bad girl. As in real bad- she works as a prostitute and bullies others. When it seemed like she hardly had any redeeming qualities, she changes completely. It's basically about character development which was the focus point of the story. The girl turns into a very nice and serious person. She stops fooling around, studies hard and changes her ways entirely.
The best thing about their relationship was that she changes a depressed, anti-social person to a happy and expressive person. And while she seems so mature in front of her friends, she acts exactly her age with her teacher. She is attracted to his serious side and he falls for her youthfulness. It was very sweet to watch them together.
Another good thing was that we get informed of the incoming "serious" problems beforehand in the first scene itself. I hate when things drop in on the viewer unexpectedly, out of nowhere! I would have liked to focus a bit more on how she became a bad girl because I found that rather interesting.
The movie has a fairly good star cast and I particularly liked the main actress. She was pretty and was able to act well. I also loved the clothes she wore throughout the film. She even made carrying umbrellas look trendy! She had a pretty magnetic personality. I was also happy with the direction of the film. It was not a well written screenplay and there were a lot of inconsistencies with the plot and pace. But that part gets compensated with good cinematography. Even the soundtrack is cool. I loved the songs they played in the background, plus they were in English so I will probably download the soundtrack later.
Anyway, the movie is overall a very nice effort from the director and writers. While it is not THE best, but it is still great and manages to get its point across to the viewer. It made good sense.
I will definitely rewatch it again when I feel like it.
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Sasaki Nozomi was outstanding as Rio, I was seriously impressed with her ability to master every emotion out there from tragic lover to cold ice queen to bubbly school girl. I often find angsty characters a bit of a bore however hard their lives are but I loved Rio! Her friends were equally likable and I almost wished we could have seen a bit more of them but overall I'm glad the story didn't try and steer off into millions of sub-plots that never get developed like a lot of movies do.
The thing I loved most about this film however was Tanihara Shosuke as Kouki. He was such an ordinary guy, nothing special about him, but the way we saw him through Rio's eyes made him appear to be the most special man on the planet. I was initially put off by the age gap but a few minutes into this film and it was completely forgotten. Straight after watching the film test yourself, would you pick Kouki over a thousand Matsujuns? I felt I could and would (if such a miracle ever occurred).
The story was touching, sad and the leads relationship felt very real, overall a romantic, interesting and heartbreaking film.
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The aspect that impressed me the most was the change of the protagonists.. both had lost interest in life (in a different way and for different reasons), but after they met, Rio goes back to being a girl her age who has to confront with her first love and Kouki, who had lost hope, find himself wanting more time..
Although some aspects have been simplified, I think this is a wonderful movie, it makes you realize that for no reason you should give up living, that fate brings you to unexpected twists and that there is always hope..
The acting was very good and the plot, although it has classical elements, it's very special in its own way.. with a hint of manga :3
The OST is touching but not outstanding..
Ps: sorry for my English
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Surprisingly it was not one of those stereotypical teacher-student love stories. The movie was really interesting. Right from the start it grasped my attention.
The main role Ozawa Rio (Sasaki Nozomi) is really pretty like a doll and her character is just great. No wonder she has been modeling for so many years. She makes a grand evolution in her character. I like it when love changes people hihi. Also her acting skills awesome.
Trough at the movie there is a message that you'll definitely catch and will let you think about your own lifestyle.
If you doubt watching this, just do so! You wont regret it.
This is my first review I'm writing so that should say something. If you still are not convinced, watch a preview and check out the high rankings for this movie.
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It feels like a cheerful movie most of the time, but this is a serious story. Of people living and spending time with each others while hiding their past.
So it's a really beautiful story and a good movie !!!!
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I love the premise and how the story isn't afraid to show controversial realities that people tend to avoid or just flat out ignore. The ending made me cry but what made me appreciate this more is the character development. Not only is this seen through a person's actions but through multiple relationships as well. It really emphasizes the importance of friendship and the bond between two people just as much as the actual romance.
The cinematography is great, actors are on point. I love how they utilize a lot of foreshadowing. How they imply that the end can still become a beginning. I LOVE Kouki, he is such an adorable man. The main leads' chemistry is beyond my expectations.
Surely a must watch! Planning to rewatch it a number of times :)
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Its not about this creepy\disgusting relationship between an older guy younger woman but more of this relationship between two people who learn to love like they had never before.
the girl turns the world around for the guy by turning this anti social guy into one who starts coming out of his shell and being comfortable with it
The girl is such a 'bad' girl in all sense that it makes one wonder does such type of girls exist..but it turns out she is human after all..;)..her character growth is so vast from being a girl with no morals to someone who stops being a prostitute after just one meeting with a guy..Its too drastic and that's why i loved it..Sazaki Nonomi is just perfect for this role and so convincing as a sophisticated prostitute and a 17 year old at the same time
Tanihara Sosuki is one good actor.Loved him in love shuffle but here i loved him in his anti social stance who just keeps counting his days left instead of the moments he's lived before the inevitable day comes..
The chemistry is heartbreaking as we see this young girl,her heart full wth love trying to make this man fall in love with her.her aggression and energy makes up for the fact that she is a 17 year old girl..first time in love and that this love is there to stay.She turns into such a kind and caring person that it makes me believe that love turns us into better human beings
the music was so pretty and lovable
The romance will probably stick to me all my life..and it has got one of the best kisses..not the lingering ones i like..but those short ones i rarely love..a few seconds where all falls away and click..its gone but the felings remain..
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