Among these emerging ikemen actors in japan him and Kaneko Daichi has the potential to take their acting to the next level. They could someday become actors like Kengo Kora, Sato Takeru, Matsuzaka Tori or even Tsubamuki Satoshi.
"I want to go to the seaside" "The sea at night" "It's pitch black. You can't see a thing" "You can only hear the waves" "It's the place I can feel death the nearest" "Once a year, I go there whether I'm still attached to life or not"
This movie is full of this everday realization and thoughts which is narrated by Yoshiko, a 40 something woman who is somewhat happy but her melancholic side makes her pessimistic when it comes to love. Watching this movie is like having a glimpse on her diary. The story plays out in a slice of life way, forced us to observe the main character in her most mundane task like ride a bike, go to work, go back home, drink wine etc. There are a lot of these quiet moments, scenes that don't advance the plot, but allows a better characterization and gives more character depth to the main character.
It's well shot, well written, well acted, but more importantly well directed movie. The chemistry between these trio is fresh, not the same in age or experience but nonetheless all are great actors and fit their characters really well. Love the cinematography there many great shots, at first you will feel the director has this huge foot fetish until you realize those are just great symblic shots for what this movie is about.
12 years after "One Million Yen Girl", Aoi Yu and Tanada Yuki reunites once again in this movie "Romance Doll", but it doesn't feel anything similar. You could feel the compassion and honesty in the script sure which I think Tanada Yuki's trademark, but its theme doesn't have anything to do with identity but sexuality and marriage. It is somewhat similar with the drama Otto no Chinpo ga Hairanai, also directed by Tanada Yuki, just less complicated but its conclusion is more desirable this time, another theme was tackled after that which I would not discuss since it's in a more spoiler territory. At the end it will make you realize this scary possibility that people might seek love dolls than real humans when people are able to make their ultimate love doll as communication with a doll who can't talk could be easier than a real person, and it's actually happening right now.
Cute yes, but actually no. It will only feel this vibrant and colorful at the beginning and after that it all went bleak then at the end it feels dull or as the title suggest Colorless. The cinematography mirrors the whole narrative as it explore its main subject, a pixie dream girl turned into a disaster, Yuka. The film is her character study and it all exist in the male lead's perspective, an aspiring photographer, Koyama. It's thru his lens where we or he tries to capture the real Yuka, show her true colors, or if there really is.
The characters are well written, complex, well acted, but more importantly feels real. Ishikawa Ruka in particular is brilliant and Kaneko Daichi is a bit of a revelation in this movie. Overall it tackles dreams, lies and hate the movie or not, their story is still a love story.
That english song is very filipino lmao like I always hear that everytime I go to karaoke with my friends. First time I experience that kind of cringe while watching a Japanese movie lmao. Then after that the plot went full filipino trope aswell, now they are blood related seriously? First half is a typical shoujo drama, second half is like a telenovela, then cameback to reality with its WTF Japan ending.
I haven't watched the anime but I think this is a pretty good movie. I just wish they cut some characters that didn't contribute in the story. I already know they won't be blood related in the end it's pretty obvious lol. The acting is pretty good though Ryo Yoshizawa and Sakurai Hinako did a decent job portraying their characters. People complain about the acting as if those characters requires Himizu level of acting.
The themes are all over the place, like the movie is trying to say too much, but I think it will all lead to the core theme which you will find in its english title, "Paradise" or much better its alternative english title "The Promise land". Not just themes are convoluted but the storytelling as well, it may be well paced movie with its 3 well told arcs, "Crime", "Punishment" & "Humans, but the constant shifts between time is not for everyone. Not for people with short attention span.
Mystery driven but it explores human condition more and when Japan explores that area means it will dissect it to the tiniest bits that every characters actions will make sense. Definitely carried by actors performance, The always reliable veteran actors in Japan, Gou Ayano with arguably his best performance, and Sugisaki Hana showing who the real Sugisaki Hana is. The reveal might be underwhelming depends on your take, but this is the type of movie that focus on the journey rather than the destination.
It's either a fluffy marshmallow sugar fest movie or a bleak teen angst driven film those are the vibes I expect watching this so I was surprised to see a well executed meaningful movie. I love the whole pacing, those 3 story bits are cleverly woven together and don't forget brilliant writing. Likable characters supported by good to great acting, I was surprised I love Sakurai Hinako's character here, I think she's a good actress it's just that most of her characters in the past are either dumb or boring. Mamiya Shotaro is great too, most complains says he looks too old to play a student but I think the fact that he looks older works for the character. I love this eccentric pair and I would like this story to have a drama version and both of them should reprise their roles. They got great chemistry, it fun watching them interact, the dialogue between them are witty, clever and thought provoking.
Overall great movie, I recommend it if you want something with substance and meaning. Love that ending shot, the aesthetics is anime style. The ending song is perfect too, it cuts deep and stabs you right in the feels.
Truck-kun's little bro serial killer-chan strikes again.
Kidding aside compared to shoujo movies with similar ending this movie is the standout for me. He Won't Kill, She Won't Die is better than I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, Orange, Your Lie in April and Anohana, and that is because of one reason, "the power of mundanity". This aspect is what most filmmakers ignore which if used properly can be a great tool to show the character development of these characters. We only see this main couple for 8-10 scenes but we understand their motivations, and why or how they fell in love with each other, which makes the ending more painful but beautiful in the end.
If you are fan of this style I recommend you check other works from this director, Bonlin and The time of the backlights.
A film that wants you to feel than to think, and it's a gamble since it's part mystery movie, but once it SLAPS you on the emotional level you will find yourself thinking about it after you watch it. It will haunt you even after the ending credits. The best comparison I can give is the korean movie Burning, same eerie atmosphere, bleak, non-conclusive and vague ending.
The acting is suberb, Tadanobu Asano's screen presence alone is enough to nail the role as he had this mysterious, apparition-like vibe in him, but the MVP here is Tsutsui Mariko, she is just darn good especially witnessing how her character develops. Goes to show how good film veteran actors in Japan.
It started very confusing like I don't have any clue where the hell all of this is going, but once I get to the middle part suddenly all things became clear. I just can't believe I missed that, the title is very misleading lol. It has all the elements I love in a mystery movie, slow burn, heavy use of symbolism, interlocking parts and especially vague ending (blame haruki murakami lol).
Slice of life drama that follows the life of the fictionalized Arimura Kasumi. It is not even episodic at all, you can think each episodes as short stories without continuation. Some are dialogue heavy, some are too arthouse for my taste, but some are really good heartwarming plot full of life lessons, episode one is even directed by Hirokazu Koreeda himself. Acting is decent for the most part, lacking in some parts, but great in 2-3 episodes. Goes to show that with the right director Arimura Kasumi can excel just like that in opening episode.
Coming of age films usually requires time, lots of time to explore the lives of these youths, their struggles, fantasies, disappointments, sexuality, dreams, but more importantly show their growth, so it's really amazing how the director manage to do it in just 1 take, 70+ minutes of non interrupted shot. The movie being a narrative within a narrative also helps exploring those elements, the main narrative, the rehearsal and the within narrative, the actual stage play. The tonal shifts between this two blurs the line between reality and fiction. Coming of age also requires sense of time and that passing of time was neatly done thru subtle changes of location, it's genius, camera work is a marvel to behold. The movie is just 70+ minutes one long take but the story spans one month.
I'm always a fan of unconventional/think-outside-the-box way of story telling as it's a huge gamble from the filmmaker, so if it works I wouldn't hesistate give it a high score.
So it's a Kanji child or not cuz i have a feeling that it is xD
They leave it vague, Waga's sorry could mean 2 things. But the way Rika acted in that rooftop suggest it's really not kanji's. Anyway whoever the father of that child is their relationship won't work either way, so I'm happy with the ending.
Thanks for writing this review. Haven't watched the finale yet, but so far I found myself agreeing so much with…
I'm not saying ishibashi is better than honami. Im sure honami will nail this version of Rika too, just watch kono yo no hate. Its just that this Rika is a lot more real to me, similar with the manga. Rika in the manga is the best Rika by the way and it's not even close. I'd say the reason why this version is on a paid platform is because ishibashi's Rika is not 100 percent likable like honami's, but the manga version is not TV friendly at all. If they choose to adapt the manga version 1/1 in the future, that actress would have the role of the lifetime.
I agree with ishii though and even kentaro and riho are better actors than 1991 version. Oda yuji was given much credit for his role but remove honami and yuji sakamoto I bet it wont be a timeless classic like we know. Honami literally carried that show.
1 
"The sea at night"
"It's pitch black. You can't see a thing"
"You can only hear the waves"
"It's the place I can feel death the nearest"
"Once a year, I go there whether I'm still attached to life or not"
This movie is full of this everday realization and thoughts which is narrated by Yoshiko, a 40 something woman who is somewhat happy but her melancholic side makes her pessimistic when it comes to love. Watching this movie is like having a glimpse on her diary. The story plays out in a slice of life way, forced us to observe the main character in her most mundane task like ride a bike, go to work, go back home, drink wine etc. There are a lot of these quiet moments, scenes that don't advance the plot, but allows a better characterization and gives more character depth to the main character.
It's well shot, well written, well acted, but more importantly well directed movie. The chemistry between these trio is fresh, not the same in age or experience but nonetheless all are great actors and fit their characters really well. Love the cinematography there many great shots, at first you will feel the director has this huge foot fetish until you realize those are just great symblic shots for what this movie is about.
9/10
8.5/10
The characters are well written, complex, well acted, but more importantly feels real. Ishikawa Ruka in particular is brilliant and Kaneko Daichi is a bit of a revelation in this movie. Overall it tackles dreams, lies and hate the movie or not, their story is still a love story.
9/10
I haven't watched the anime but I think this is a pretty good movie. I just wish they cut some characters that didn't contribute in the story. I already know they won't be blood related in the end it's pretty obvious lol. The acting is pretty good though Ryo Yoshizawa and Sakurai Hinako did a decent job portraying their characters. People complain about the acting as if those characters requires Himizu level of acting.
8/10
Mystery driven but it explores human condition more and when Japan explores that area means it will dissect it to the tiniest bits that every characters actions will make sense. Definitely carried by actors performance, The always reliable veteran actors in Japan, Gou Ayano with arguably his best performance, and Sugisaki Hana showing who the real Sugisaki Hana is. The reveal might be underwhelming depends on your take, but this is the type of movie that focus on the journey rather than the destination.
8.5/10
Overall great movie, I recommend it if you want something with substance and meaning. Love that ending shot, the aesthetics is anime style. The ending song is perfect too, it cuts deep and stabs you right in the feels.
9/10
Kidding aside compared to shoujo movies with similar ending this movie is the standout for me. He Won't Kill, She Won't Die is better than I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, Orange, Your Lie in April and Anohana, and that is because of one reason, "the power of mundanity". This aspect is what most filmmakers ignore which if used properly can be a great tool to show the character development of these characters. We only see this main couple for 8-10 scenes but we understand their motivations, and why or how they fell in love with each other, which makes the ending more painful but beautiful in the end.
If you are fan of this style I recommend you check other works from this director, Bonlin and The time of the backlights.
The acting is suberb, Tadanobu Asano's screen presence alone is enough to nail the role as he had this mysterious, apparition-like vibe in him, but the MVP here is Tsutsui Mariko, she is just darn good especially witnessing how her character develops. Goes to show how good film veteran actors in Japan.
9.5/10
9/10
8.5/10
I'm always a fan of unconventional/think-outside-the-box way of story telling as it's a huge gamble from the filmmaker, so if it works I wouldn't hesistate give it a high score.
9.5/10
I agree with ishii though and even kentaro and riho are better actors than 1991 version. Oda yuji was given much credit for his role but remove honami and yuji sakamoto I bet it wont be a timeless classic like we know. Honami literally carried that show.
But since we are comparing
Writing
Manga > 1991 > 2020
Characters
Manga >2020 > 1991
Music
Even
Theme
Even
Read the manga it's a masterpiece.