KKC

I think stories like these are important to tell, but this was still a difficult plot to endure. The movie was very realistic in some ways and very socially critical. The homophobia (internalized and not) and insecurities are ripe in this one. The legal battle was stressful to watch (which I think is good and showcases a lot of Japanese attitudes on gay topics)... But, in the end, I'm very disappointed that the woman who hit her own child and neglected her during the custody battles to the point that she was found wandering by the police... that sort of person won custody. It's realistic that most women, even the abusive ones, will get custody of children over a man.. but I'm angry Nagisa didn't fight at all. I understand he didn't want to drag his ex-wife while she's vulnerable, but the real vulnerable one is the child. This is evident by how her whole personality changes when she's living with her mom in the aftermath.

Nagisa is a very selfish character, which is fine (those sorts of people need to be represented too).. but the whole time I felt bad for both his partners-- especially Shun, who he left behind because of his internalized homophobia and returned to when he had no other options. The "romance" between them didn't feel good or healthy to me. Shun felt like was a second choice and was generally an afterthought in this 2 hour long movie.

TL;DR Good plot but unsatisfying (yet realistic?) ending/results of divorce. I am choosing to believe that the reason for them revisiting Shun and Nagisa at the end is to transfer the custody.