strawberryeuphoria

One Million Yen Girl feels like a poetic escape. It captures the longing we all experience at some point in our lives. The desire to leave everything behind, move far away, and restart our lives. We all have felt this way at least once when things get difficult, when it seems like nobody understands us and we don't belong in the place we've spent our whole lives. In those moments, it can feel like we have nothing left and that the old version of ourselves is long gone, leaving only the option to start over where nobody knows us.

Sometimes escaping is easier than facing our demons, and this movie encapsulates that struggle. When Suzuko moves away and embarks on her bold journey from one place to another, it feels like a victory. However, as time passes, it becomes evident how long and challenging that journey truly is. When difficulties arise, the first thought that comes to mind is often to run away. It's hard to deal with shame and difficult situations, and isolating oneself can feel like the easier option, but how long can one actually carry on like that?

That's precisely what the movie portrays. When she first moves to the coastal city, it seems like she has found a place to be happy. But when those around her start taking an interest in her and want to know more about her or when she moves to the mountains and they all expect her to be the "peach girl", Suzuko realizes that she cannot escape from herself. She can move to a new city and a new place, but the burden she carries is something she cannot leave behind.

For me, this movie was poetic and, in a way, felt like a small victory when she found love. Yet, like her, we were also deceived into thinking that was the ultimate solution, and maybe we were fooled twice.

One aspect of this movie I found very eye-opening is the reason behind her wanting to earn one million yen. Renting accommodation in Japan is a very pricey affair, with landlords demanding key money and other non-refundable fees, a deposit and sometimes several months' rent in advance. It's like the price of freedom is that one million yen-

I knew I would love this film from the first frame; the nostalgic feeling of blue and green tones along with the melancholic atmosphere in every shot spoke deeply to my soul. The backdrop of the Japanese countryside and coastal beach area feels so healing; it embodies the dream many of us have to move to a city far away and attempt to restart our lives.

I love the actress; she is so delicate and intriguing to watch. This is definitely one of those movies you don’t want to miss if you love Japan.