★ 8 / 10
It packs quite a punch in the feels
lilianaoana
There is so much internalized homophobia in this movie it's downright frightening. It doesn't look like it in the beginning, but it should come with all the…
There is so much internalized homophobia in this movie it's downright frightening. It doesn't look like it in the beginning, but it should come with all the trigger warnings. Also, it's an absolute tearjerker. I hated it for it, but it is what it is.There's a lot of authenticity to it too, especially in terms of the main theme, which I suppose is tolerance and acceptance, but it makes sure we properly suffer till it comes to that conclusion. It also uses some of the usual teen drama tropes, with a twist, maybe for a different effect. The only one that bothered me was the public humiliation/confession scene in the school assembly. I appreciate the sentiment, but it's too sappy and I loathe public displays of this kind, they make me cringe so bad. I wish it had been done in a smaller crowd. The last part of the speech was good, but I don't think she needed to out herself as a fujoshi to get there. Well, I don't think anybody should out themselves or be outed. That's also a trigger warning.Ryuhei is the GOAT for friendship goals. He annoyed me at first, but his friendliness and acceptance are almost unreal. It's almost like it's fiction right? Also, usually these hyper-happy people turn out to be secretly depressed. I don't know why my mind goes there, but whenever I see a class clown of such caliber I think of people like Robin Williams.Onno did not deserve forgiveness. I still don't understand what his issue was, but it is not excusable.As for Miura, well, I'm glad BLs weren't around when I was growing up. I don't understand the obsession and I do watch live-action BLs. But I steer well clear of the explicit ones cause they're obviously very exploitative and so cringe. Regular ones are cringe enough, but maybe not more than regular romance dramas. Anyway, fujoshi or not, I guess she needed a taste of the real gay world. And boy did she get it.It may sound like I'm really picking at this movie, but seriously it packs a lot.
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★ 8 / 10
A Touch to Coming Out Gay
stefandiwan
"Every knot got untied" STORY It started simple in a school. A guy bumped to a girl bought a BL merch. She was afraid of him leaking out her tight-kept secret.…
"Every knot got untied"
STORY
It started simple in a school. A guy bumped to a girl bought a BL merch. She was afraid of him leaking out her tight-kept secret. Henceforth, she asked him out to accompany her buying other merch on Sunday. Unexpectedly she fell for him. After weeks struggling she finally confessed to him. Their feelings were mutual. Thus, she marked her Double Peace signature.
After sometime they tried to make it out in his home. They failed. The girl started to introspect her shortcomings. Was it her chest? So she drank milks. (like it would matter@.@) Was it her hair or her make-ups? Little did she know when she called his name, he remembered his "seme" called out to him. Therefore he couldn't erect it.
The next encounter was happened in town-onsen, perhaps like Japanese modern spa. His seme kissed him, she threw a water baloon to their lips. This was the first knot, Makoto the "seme" shouldn't done this knowing he would got caught by his wife orJun's girlfriend. The worse response was blurt out by Jun, "Does it matter?" answering Sae's query.
Next day they meet-up at backroom of the class. Jun clarified his true feelings. Sae didn't know whether she should break him up. Unfortunately the second knot coming when Ono, their classmate purposely listened to them. And scream it out loud in the gym full of what-not. (Are you for real?)
Of course the hell is coming up to Jun the next day with the whole school knowing his. He misunderstood Sae leaking his truth and rebuked her. That day Ryohei, his childhood friend, reminisce about watermelon promise they made. Back in class prepping for PE, busy body Ono evicting Jun feared for his body drooled over. Eventually, Jun jumped over the window after saying, "We'll meet again after 100 watermelons grow" to Ryohei. Luckily it was only second floor. So bruises and broken limbs were guaranteed not life-threatening act I suppose.
In hospital, Sae asked Jun to come for the last time to watch her awarding of her painting. She won city-wide high school accolade. He come albeit late to avoid gaze and sneer. Her speech was her coming out being her as "fujoshi". It was a heart-wrenching speech. I myself dotted tears. In this the second knot got untied when Ono aware of his mistake and cried over a ramen cup. They got along well afterwards. Jun didn't hold grudge against him.
The first knot was untied when Jun decided to break-up with Makoto. It was well deserved ending for him having family and such. The last fragment was Jun visiting his deceased online friend. And, ultimately the big knot is untied. When Sae decided to break him up seeing him going to Osaka.
After credit we finally can see her prize-winning painting. "Hatsukoi".
ACTING
Yamada Anne did it again. Her performance was top notch. The Male Lead felt like woods sometimes, but maybe that is due to her role as "Uke" to be timid. The supporting characters are adequate, none standout of their performances. Except maybe for Maeda Oshiro. His light-hearted childhood friend role helped light out the dim ML performance.
MUSIC
I do not remember nor heard any music worth mentioning here. They talked about Queen, but did they really played it there?
REWATCH
Easily re-watchable just for the cinematography. I like the transitions and subtle nuances they brought it out. E.g: From the Sea World's aquarium to home aquarium, The sunset billboard on the final scene.
Ps: I did't watch the drama so I have none to compare. I just see as what it was.
8.5/10.
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6.8/10
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