The snow covering the town gives off cold and warm feeling at the same time, which also gives a sense of comfort.
I thought this film would only revolve around Hiroko and Itsuki exchanging letters, but at some point I thought "If there was a flashback scene which shows the moment when Itsuki male is still alive with Hiroko or Itsuki female, it would be more interesting", and finally the female Itsuki reminisced about her school days when she was in the same class with the male Itsuki (Hiroko fiancee), which I could say the first love vibe was very thick and the fact that those many sweet moment can't be repeated or even continued makes it painful.
I can't help but cry, the desired happy ending that can't come true and dealing with loss and grief is so suffocating, even though healing will happens over time.
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Japanese romance tragedy
The beauty of a bad ending (BE) lies not merely in its tragic conclusion, but in the hard-won reconciliation with oneself after agony, reluctance, and lingering attachments. This crescendo culminates in the film's iconic line: 'Fujii Itsuki, how are you? I'm fine.' And then, the final sketch reveals another layer of pure love's beauty—the giddy yet pristine longing of a secret crush. In the cinema, you immerse yourself in the distinctly Japanese aesthetics of obscurity, restraint, and mono no aware.Was this review helpful to you?
so beautiful
genuinely was so sad at the end. the overall story and plot of this movie was so beautiful. the setting along with the music just add so much more too it. would recommend to anyone!! the small details from this movie really is what made this movie so special with both the main characters having the same name and just how they both communicated through books. with just this movie you can also really tell what the characters are like and how they are as a person with just in a span of 2 hours. one of my favorites now!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Beauty in the shape of snow
There's nothing else to say, other than that it's very beautiful. It seems like every Shunji Iwai film is beautiful and melancholic. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't review this film. I think I have few words to say how beautiful this film is. The lack of knowledge that Itsuki's ex-wife had with another woman with the same name as her husband becomes something so melancholic. Fujii realizing that he loved Itsuki even though he realized it so late. Hiroko trying to overcome her past in order to move on with Akiba. The last scene of the film was the best for me, with Fujii realizing that Itsuki drew her on the back, saying that he had an appreciation for her, and her crying knowing that she really loved him. There's nothing else to say, it's beautiful and melancholic. Snow is present in this film, both in the deaths and in the melancholy behind it.The music is spectacular as always, the direction, the cinematography, everything in this film is literally very well used and spectacular.
The snow and the cold are present, but you feel warm throughout the film.
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