Beautiful and Tragic; two words I use to describe this film.
What starts as a writer trying to uncover the truth about an incident turns into something much more.
I found the use of light and sound quite important. It was a tool to make us -the audience- focus on certain things characters have said in order to foreshadow what will happen in the future and what will be revealed about the past. It is similar with eye contact and characters watching interactions between other characters. Watching this, you won't realise how complex the story is until the last third. Then, you understand the construction of the story and the choices the characters make.
The acting was also incredible. For Iwata Takanori, it was a step up from his portrayal as Cobra in the HiGH&LOW series and other exile-related works. He really shined in this film. His character was also interesting. He walks with intention and a purpose; he speaks with intention and purpose, making him a more compelling character. I'm not kidding when I say he walks as if he is on a mission (which he totally is). Heck, even his stares are intentional. Saitoh Takumi also outperformed as usual and brought so much to his character as a photographer.
Even though I already loved it after my first watch, I really appreciated the construction of it this time around. It is a film I plan to watch a third, maybe fourth time. But I also wish I could experience watching it for the first time. It is one of a kind.
I found the use of light and sound quite important. It was a tool to make us -the audience- focus on certain things characters have said in order to foreshadow what will happen in the future and what will be revealed about the past. It is similar with eye contact and characters watching interactions between other characters. Watching this, you won't realise how complex the story is until the last third. Then, you understand the construction of the story and the choices the characters make.
The acting was also incredible. For Iwata Takanori, it was a step up from his portrayal as Cobra in the HiGH&LOW series and other exile-related works. He really shined in this film. His character was also interesting. He walks with intention and a purpose; he speaks with intention and purpose, making him a more compelling character. I'm not kidding when I say he walks as if he is on a mission (which he totally is). Heck, even his stares are intentional. Saitoh Takumi also outperformed as usual and brought so much to his character as a photographer.
Even though I already loved it after my first watch, I really appreciated the construction of it this time around. It is a film I plan to watch a third, maybe fourth time. But I also wish I could experience watching it for the first time. It is one of a kind.
Was this review helpful to you?