The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese

I would have given this a higher rating, but the end spoiled it. I enjoyed watching this, it kept my interest. I thought the acting and story were good. This movie had a lot of sex scenes, so if your not comfortable with that, don’t watch it. I think the two ML’s were excellent and very believable in their roles. They were two lost souls, but throughout the movie kind of discovered themselves. I don’t think I would watch it again though. I’ve watched You Make Me Dance, Long Time No See, and To My Star several times each, but I won’t be doing that with this one, for the reason stated in my first sentence. If you like BL’S on the serious side, it’s a nice short watch.

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oh boi i wasn't ready at all for this one
my biggest mistake was not reading the tags nor the synopsis so i wasn't aware of the infidelity. besides my carelessness, i actually found this movie to be emotion-inducing and one of the main feeling here is frustration. everyone frustrated me. i'm not kidding.

this one tells a tale of two completely questionable dudes in terms of moral compass. what i like is that this movie doesn't sugarcoat anything. we are presented what the mixture of insecurity and loneliness can do to someone. such combination can lead to desperation of returning to a situation that is not going to benefit them mentally. there is no romanticising this relationship. instead, the viewers are given both point of views with no justification of the main characters' actions.

both the main characters are awful in many ways. yet, sympathy is felt because they both have different sides and internal issues. i'm no way in support of the cheating but it's really interesting how otome is shown to have the tables turned as he was the one to wait for igisame instead of the other way around. the chair was a nice touch of symbolism for anticipation/waiting.

overall, this movie was definitely a profound take on mature topics and didn't go around in circles conveying them.

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this is a good movie if ur into watching humans be human

aish from where to start, first off haven't read the manga and after watching this, very intrigued to find out how it differs from the movie and if the ending (if it has ended in "written" form) is much more satisfying then this open ending.
secondly, read comments saying - agreeing with Otomo when he called himself self-centered - and i Don't agree - yeah there a bucket load of messed-up, complicated character's here, but he just another one on a long list. he for sure aint at the top of that list.

this whole drama is about people not being perfect in any way, shape or form... trying to succeed at love and life and basically buggering it all up - to put in mildly. if anything watching this if there is anyone that i rooted for by the end, it's Otomo - yeah he was guarded and stoic, the typical tsundere (without any background info about why he is the way he is - i can't say what is the cause for his turning out the way he did) but he for sure aint heterosexual, he either bisexual, pansexual or a deeply closeted homosexual... cause the way he noticed Imagase in their collage/university days, wasn't platonic in the least - and he was always aware of him..

Imagase "proposal" starts to break down his walls from the first encounter. and i think its more about being with a man then being with Imagase - which of course changes when Imagase keeps at it - or maybe i'm wrong, as no one would go back to the woman they r cheating with, when they know their wife has a detective tailing them - that was kind of an open invite, for the 2nd encounter to happen -
the rest is kind of a emotional roller costar, where Imagase who seems to know what he wants, can't deal with getting his wish - and keeps pushing Otomo away with words and actions... therefore the sad open ending

but this is one hell of an emotional ride where u see Otomo grow, mature into his own. and that in itself made this worthwhile - i enjoyed this even if i would've loved a happy end - but "they" kept it real and i can appreciate the reason, as in life no happy ending guarantied.

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Conformity vs. Surrender

Kyoichi plays with theatrical precision the role of a “good man”. The reliable employee, a "good husband" who discreetly fails as an adulterer within patriarchal acceptance. His affairs are extensions of conformity, with women who are aesthetically pleasing and submissive. His life feels less immoral than anesthetized.

The sudden reappearance of Wataru, who has secretly loved Kyoichi since their college days, brings this façade crashing down. Wataru knows his weaknesses, his failures, and his ugly truths. Armed with that knowledge, he overwhelms him emotionally, as well as physically. What begins as a surrender of control gradually turns into a revelation.

The film’s explicit sex scenes may strike some as disruptive; however, their structural similarity is precisely the point. The mechanics of desire remain comparable, yet the emotional posture differs radically. With women, Kyoichi’s sexuality appears performative and rushed. In contrast, the intimacy between the two men unfolds through passion and a gentler mutuality. The difference lies not in the act, but in Kyoichi’s state.

Further within this new arrangement, Kyoichi appears generally more carefree, his laughter unforced, his gestures playful, almost boyish. Their shared space mirrors this contradiction. Though modest and framed by cold concrete and urban austerity, it radiates a quiet warmth, an intimacy carved out of an otherwise indifferent world, a fragile pleasure that seems in need of protection.

Yet the past catches up. Kyoichi’s habitual impulse to fill his inner void with trivial encounters remains omnipresent. The social “unacceptability” of their relationship, coupled with the weight of internalized shame, begins to erode their relationship. Longing turns into insecurity; vulnerability into pain.

During their ritualized separation, Wataru describes the type of woman who would best suit Kyoichi, painting an image of conformity and comfortable domesticity. In return, Kyoichi wishes Wataru a love that will grant him the affection he deserves, a quiet, guilty confession as farewell.

In his anguish, Kyoichi seeks another taboo breach, yet he cannot bring himself to follow through. Instead, he returns to old patterns, a new doll-like girl, and an outlook of domesticated security.

Wataru can't let go. Another passionate collision makes a defeated Wataru discard the small sign of hope he once left behind in Kyoichi’s space, and leave without a goodbye. Only then does Kyoichi realize the true imprisonment was neither marriage nor desire, but conformity and the emptiness that comes with it. He breaks with social comfort, choosing an uncompromising loyalty to his own emotions, even if that means solitude.

Overall, I appreciate the message because it refuses to offer an easy answer. The ending remains open and rightly so. It does not follow the formula of the romanticized myth of “I can change him” with a happy ending. Both Kyoichi and Wataru carry deeply rooted issues. Their emotional baggage and trust issues cannot simply be undone by passion. Yet it does not feel hopeless. Change will be slow and self-driven. Whether their paths cross again or not, something essential has shifted within them, especially within Kyoichi.

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BORING

I dont care about infidelity or screwed up storylines but this was SO boring to watch. They arent bad actors but theyre stiff because theyre supposed to be. The worst thing was how abrupt the cuts were. I do not know if it was a stylistic choice taken on purpose but its so aprupt that its hard to enjoy. They omit entire happenings of context and summarize that in maybe one line of dialogue told to some character. Like youre supposed to pick it on contrxtually. But it sucked a bit

The sexual scenes were very out there. That was good lol but everything else is an absolute meh.

Iw ill say, not a completely unrealistic story though. But doesnt make it less boring.

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Bland with a nice wrap-up

Well, I am just hitting it off with all worst Japanese cinematic choices. To be honest, this one probably was not as bad as all the other ones I watched... but the trope is still as clear as water: we have an obsessed second lead and untouchable first lead. Reasons for both do not become clearer as the movie progresses.

Why was Imagase so obsessed with Kyoichi? Well, he said -for no reason. Why was Kyoichi impacted by Imagase? Well we don't know that either. Is it pity is it love is it transformation.

Then we have intense and steamy scenes, imo, do not serve the plot efficiently. Too empty to mean anything. Then the ending was somewhat hopeful and shows change in characters but it leaves you wanting more. Because why would he change so drastically? It makes no sense in the context of plot.

I am surprised my output was so high but I can say that I was entertained and enjoyed the watch.

You will not miss much if you skip it. Will not be impressed if you watch it. But it is likely to be a decent watch if you opt for it.

Thank you for reading.

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Beautiful Movie

Honestly I really loved this movie it brings out a lot of real life concerns and insecurities. I love how in this movie "Kyoichi" is truly trying to figure himself ouut and it shows that he feels the pain when he hurts Imagase and doesnt want to feel that way doesnt want to hurt him. I also love how for Imagase it shows how he loved Kyoichi in the past and has for a very long time. I love how that shows there is a deeper connection through his love then what was presented before knowing his background story. The Sex scenes between Kyoichi and Imagase were hot but very sensual and beautiful at the same time. They showed a lot of love and despair between the two. The background music was very calming and sensual I loved how it made the scenes more realistic and more relaxing. The acting for both characters was phenominal it was very beautiful and they got the job done. I would love to see the actors film another movie together. For rewatching this movie I would highly recomend rewatching this movie it helps you understand the real purpose of the movie it also helps you realise parts of the movie or those subtle meanings in the movie watching it the second time. I have overall watched this movie 5-6 times and every time I watch it I learn something new.

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I enjoyed it despite the heartbreak

"There's a billion things in life more important than suffering for love" and I couldn't have agreed more with Otomo .It seems masochism is a recurring theme throughout many Japanese BL's and this film is no exception. It's time for the gays to break free from the shackles of pain and embrace love in the right places lol. Overall the acting was great and the story was solid. The only small issue I had was with the length. There are portions of this that seemed to drag and could've been condensed, despite that and all the pain and heartbreak I still really enjoyed this film.

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