This review may contain spoilers
Since I cannot marry someone I love, anyone will do
A Woman’s Sorrows sounds like a tragic film but instead it’s a movie about one woman’s self-discovery. Set in 1937 before WW II, some nascent progressive ideals about women’s place in the world and marriage were explored.Hiroko was a shop girl who came from a poor family. Described repeatedly as “conservative and indecisive” she found herself unable to marry the cousin she loved and decided any man her mother chose would be acceptable to marry. She ended up married to a man from a wealthy family but soon discovered she was little more than an unpaid servant and one who worked longer hours than the employed maid. When any task needed to be done “Hiroko” was the first word on the family’s lips. Her husband viewed her as a pretty doll to take out and look at occasionally when he wasn’t partying with his friends after work.
Her sister-in-law, Yoko, married for love, but her husband could not provide for her in the way she was accustomed, and she came home to her family. He refused to give up on Yoko creating conflict by using Hiroko as a messenger.
Both Hiroko and Yoko had to come to terms with what they wanted out of their lives and marriage. Both were bound by the patriarchal system and well-defined roles they were expected to follow even if some of the rules appeared to be bending. For instance, Hiroko’s conservatism was viewed as a mark against her when looking for a match. Her new family loved her submissiveness but did not respect her for it. Yoko, though refusing to become submissive like Hiroko, could not free herself from her perception of what marriage should be and was also trapped.
Hiroko slowly began to understand she was more independent than even she knew herself to be. I have never wanted to stand up and cheer for a Japanese film as I did for this one when Hiroko stood up for herself and her beliefs rejecting the emotionally unfulfilling life she had entered into. I found A Woman’s Sorrows to be surprisingly progressive for a 1937’s film on marriage bolstered by a satisfying ending. For anyone not put off by such an old film I could easily recommend it.
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One word: beautiful
Everything about this short felt so raw and authentic. I came into this expecting something completely different, and quite frankly much worse, but I am so glad my expectations were exceeded.The acting isn't oscar-worthy, but it's convincing and by no means subpar. During every word of well-written dialogue, I felt the characters' vulnerability. The slow, calming background music throughout the short added to that effect. Whether intentionally or not, the actors portray a certain degree of caution during every scene, which I thought was a nice touch. The lighting choice was perfect, acting as a clear contrast between moods as well as a convenient censor of sorts during the more intimate scenes.
I appreciate that not everything revolved around sexual intimacy, as I thought it might. The story went deeper and we actually got to learn about the characters and their emotions as well as their past. Also, bravo for including explicit consent. We need more consent in BLs.
The ending was not what I expected at all, but that's what makes it satisfactory. Overall, the realism of this short is what gets me. I didn't feel like I was watching a fiction piece - I felt like I was watching a genuine relationship play out. It's not often that a drama makes me feel like I'm intruding. Big kudos to all of those involved!
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'Art isn't supposed to look nice; it's supposed to make you feel something'
As someone that stepped into this movie having known nothing about it and nothing about the storyline, I would have to say that it left me speechless. Often times people think that melodramatic stories get a lot of recognition well because they are melodramatic. "Nothing could go wrong with a good old sob story! The viewers will love it!" Well then , of course there are those people that manage to pick up on it and bring our attention to it. However, I like to look at it in a different light.This movie managed to make me smile, cry and reflect all in one sitting. Watching these characters that I am only seeing for the first time and yet still managing to empathise with them, cry with them, and understand their pain with them. Isn't it a beautiful feeling? Isn't it extraordinary?
I do not know of any of the Chinese idioms and I do not understand the implied meanings that are continuously being suggested, although one thing I know for sure is that this was a heart-warming experience.
I would not want to rewatch this and bawl my eyes out ever again but it would be wholesome to remember this Sunday afternoon that I sat down to watch a movie over all the other productions. that seemed uninteresting to me on my Netflix explore page.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not your ordinary romcom.
I did not really read the plot when I started the movie because it's Ryu Seung Ryong. What other reason do I need, right? However, after a few minutes, it made me go back and read Viki's summary for it.Warning! This movie is a romantic comedy. My review is not because I want to focus on what made me talk to myself while watching it.
This thought-provoking film made me realize that sometimes, two people have different opinions, and both may have a point. I felt particularly torn when Yoo Jin expressed his love for Kim Hyun. He only wants to let it out of his chest, not expecting anything in return. However, this might be burdensome to Kim Hyun because he did not feel the same way.
Overall, it's a feel-good movie. It did not have a dull moment, and I laughed most of the time. If you like to watch a one-sided BL movie, this is worth your time.
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This review may contain spoilers
Expected more
Admittedly, I haven't watched the anime nor read the manga. However, I have seen bits and pieces of it from social media, so I had some expectations but not too many.I thought it would be a funnier movie with more comedic elements. It got a bit slow in the second half.
I'm not sure why they made it into a musical and it definitely distracts from the flow of the movie. They could've added more scenes of Hirotaka and Narumi instead (making it more a rom-com than it tried to be).
I thought the FL (Takahata Mitsuki) was super cute and did really well. YamaKen's performance was good too, but didn't really stand out to me. But I blame that on the fact that they gave him too many serious scenes and no chances to act more dynamically.
The best part for me was seeing all the FGO characters and merch haha.
Can't say I really recommend this movie unless it's enough for you just to see YamaKen in glasses and Takahata Mitsuki being adorable.
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THE SWINDLERS doesn't swindle and gives full entertainment
I thought I had seen this movie with the first scene of a scam. But then Hyun Bin appears as notorious thief tricking the cops and fleeing, I was like Nahhhh, I haven't seen this one.Then appears a group of swindlers, corrupt politicians and an attorney. All this in first 15 minutes, I mean who wont be curious to know what is going to happen next. This movie movie creates an enticing impact and doesn't let the audience bore.
Making Hyun Bin a mega swindler who only swindles the swindler is the like giving a cherry on cake. As The movie fast paced, its hard to tell who is getting swindled, everyone runs their creative mind with 1000miles of speed to swindle and I am jumping on my sofa trying to figure out whats happening. I enjoyed the whole process of these conning people. the end its truly surprising, and emotional.
The acting is delightful, and engrossing. Hyun Bin is flawless throughout with each scene my heart stops seeing his intense fight sequences. The action sequence are well shot. The guns, fights, jumps are superbly captured.
Every character had their spark and made their presence felt. I enjoyed their incredible performance.
Am totally up for rewatch of THE SWINDLERS. It doesn't swindle the audience but serves its purpose to entertain the audience to the fullest.
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a lesson to not live our lives for anyone but yourself
I generally have a low standard in terms of comedy, anything that's light and funny will almost always be a 10, but this film is both good and bad at the same time.It had good comedy and started off with an interesting light story we can follow, but it starts going downhill.
Love+Sling follows the daily lives of 2 familes experience love and friendship while trying to figure things out in the process. I'd recommend people to watch this blindly without reading the synopsis or watching the trailer, It would be more ridiculous + funnier.
the film failed miserably on pacing, 1hr 48m was too much, despite the occasional laugh out loud moments, it couldn't suffice the bad storytelling.
Acting was above average at best, the film is surely not the best performances of the actors, but I wouldn't blame them, they just sinked along with the bad script.
Unless you have a lot of time to spare or have nothing to watch, I do not recommend this. Luck-Key, Midnight Runners, or Okay! Madam are movies with better storytelling whilst having the same great comedy.
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Simple movies are always beautiful.
Korean film If The Sun Rises In The West is one of the beautiful and simple films of the classical era of South Korea, the film is a 1998 product of his country that has a very simple and beautiful story that talks about the love between a girl and a boy Because of their dreams, the film has a beautiful story and a very small group of actors participated in the film but I can say they were a skilled staff and their role was very beautiful and excellent especially The supporting actors of their role They made their role very beautifulWas this review helpful to you?
If I will be given a chance, I really want to change how it ends because it so painful.
I despised the king because of what he had done to his lover yet I understand the cause he was madly in-love. I hope he just made sacrifices and set free his lover with the queen. Time could tell if they were truly meant for each other.
This was truly a MASTERPIECE and fascinating because it was released in early 2000s.
I hope there will be more films having the same plot like this...
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This review may contain spoilers
It went beyond my expectations
I love watching costume dramas, and over time my standards would rise and I would be critical of every aespect of the drama/ movie, be it the costumes, the scripts, the acting and the props. Since this is a movie and not a drama, I have low expectations for it. But it exceed my expectations and I'm very pleased about it.Bad things about the movie:
There are a few things that irked me. I understand that given the time contraints, it is impossible to hope for any satisfying chemistry. Especially with that arrogant disciple of Wudang sect and Lian Nichang. Ok I thought Nichang would be super badass and ruthless, but then she saw that disciple's hand and then thought of a guy in her childhood that saved her and then she fell in love with him. It's just too quick that I don't know how to process it. She had kept the bamboo flute from him given to her years ago and part was alright, but I don't understand why that guy love her too. And how Nichang just abandon all hostility when it comes to him. I thought her heart would be as hard as iron, but no. But clearly their love wasn't deep enough, so I was quite satisfied when he didn't believe her and ended up betraying her. At least the screenwriter has common sense. But I don't know why Nichang would play the flute before engaging in a fight with Wudang Sect disciples. What significance does it hold? Does it magically increases her prowness? Does it raise people from the dead? Other than doing it to look cool and mysterious, it is absolutely unnecessary and let me tell you: if you're writing something, anything, be it novels or stories or movies or dramas, do not include anything that doesn't drive the plot. Nichang playing the flute at that time to announce her arrival is just...hilarious given that there's no reason to announce it like that. But her playing to her little sister was sweet though, and at least in that segment it shows how good her relationship is with her sister.
Good things about the movie:
One line from Nichang that I remembered. She quoted her master, something about how having a name means you're free from all bad things. That line is just so powerful! I absolutely love the solemnity that line holds! If you've watched it, the scene starts with a battle between Nichang and the other handsome guy whose name I've forgotten, but I remember his face and he's gorgeous. That is an excellent job of the screenwriter, because if you show your viewers some action at the start, they will feel intrigued, they will feel the need to continue watching. And afterwards we're thrown into a funeral scene. THAT WHOLE PART WAS MY FAVOURITE, ESPECIALLY WHEN NICHANG JUMP OUT OF THE COFFIN (or was it a casket, I don't remember too clearly)! The tense atmosphere, the detailed set, the impression Eunuch Wei gave off, and how that scene alone tells us the power Eunuch Wei holds, it's all so perfect I couldn't get enough of it. This is something like in The Untamed, where the first scene we saw is Wei Wuxian falling from a cliff. The fighting scene was alright, no awkward movements or anything unnatural. All in all, there's more good points than bad points. And theres that jealous disciple, I just love his character. Well, I don't love a character based on how they benefit the main leads, or hate a character because of what evil deeds they've done, but how well their character is written. And there's this part where Nichang stabbed her lover's shoulder when she protected that jealous disciple, and saw that the jealous disciple was pulling out his sword. She just stabbed through her lover's shoulder and stabbed directly at the jealous disciple and killed him then and there. That move surprised me, I'll give this movie points for that. And when Nichang pushed away that disciple when he tried to hug her, I was just like...WE LOVE A BADASS QUEEN! And the ending was the best, like it wasn't a happy ending where the couple got together, but was separated for at least a year. Even when they reunited, they weren't actually together; Nichang just met that disciple at the sect (apologies for the constance reference to him as THE DISCIPLE, I really forgot his name). That ending satisfied me, how the screenwriter wasn't so simple that he/she wrote that they lived happily ever after.
IN CONCLUSION, I wished this movie is a drama. That way, the screenwriter could properly develop NIchang and that disciple's relationship so that it didn't seemed rushed. The ending was nice and calls for a sequel!
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This review may contain spoilers
Can't understand what the writer and director want for the storyline
I don't know where they want to take us in this film. I understand the outline of this film but for some reason the storyline is too weird because the plot is too complicated and fasti can feel the frustated feeling in Ding Yu Xi and Ren Min act and how hurt they are but i also can feel how sad when fate need to break them apart again
somehow i hate fate too, some fate can not be change but some can, i wish the have happy and woderfull life before that fate come
I don't know what to write it because it's too complicated to pronounce but if you want to watch this because of Ding Yu Xi or Ren Min, I can only recommend seeing the acting in this film. but if you want to watch and understand and explore the story, I don't really recommend it
but for me, i would rewatch it to see the development of acting from Ding Yu Xi
it's all depend on you, which side you want to watch, the story or the actor/actress
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Tragically Beautiful
I loved the photos and moments of the cherry blossoms. The story isn't really original, but it was well done, and although it was a 2 hr movie, you don't notice it. At times it even felt like it was too fast. The aging FXs were well done. They were even able to show how seniors can feel disgraced with how their body doesn't function like they wish it would. I liked the love story potion and the pain they both felt.What I disliked was at times the shaking camera, photographers all know how to use a film stabilizer, so that just took away from the show. It was super annoying and not needed as the actors/actresses all did well to show their heightened emotions. Whether that's a production issue or the director's fault I don't know. Pacing of the movie seemed a bit off in some sections too.
Overall it was a good watch, I would rewatch it and recommend it. Some viewers might need a box of tissues, even though we know the ending ahead of time. It was a nice story about love and not giving up, even if the odds are against you.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great movie it really makes you feel all the emotions.
I have watched many Zombie series/movies and i think this was the first movie where it made me full on cry. When i started the movie I didn't think you could get so attached to some of these characters which is never a good idea when you watch anything zombie related. So I didn't think the story would be so emotional surprised me there.Otherwise really great movie, the acting is really good you can feel every emotion through the actor/actress that it makes the story even more believable. The action scenes get you on the edge of your seat you never know what is going to happen, you never know how they will survive and get out of the situation. It never gets boring watching it.
This was my first review so I hope i wrote it ok. The first part was a review that doesn't contain spoilers the second part is just me ranting about some things from the movie which were the reasons I even wrote it in the first place.
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MAJOR SPOLERS AHEAD!!!
That COCKROACH of a man did not only kill/infect all the people but also got infected himself, like he is so desperate to survive yet HE MANAGES TO DIE. Even the pregnant lady survived how can he so selfish and still be that useless for his survival.
Also the scene where the dad gets infected i couldn't have SOBED more it was already sad, but then they threw the flashbacks in NAHHH U TRYING TO KILL ME TOO.
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A Fleeting Tale Of Young Love Underneath The Cherry Blossoms…
There’s a particular Japanese idiom which comes to mind when talking about the concept of ‘ Yoshihiro Fukagawa’s ‘Love like the Falling Petals’ and that is simply “ Mono No Aware” (“物の哀れ”)- “ The pathos of things, the sensitivity of things which are transient”. At the root core of this idiomatic expression comes to mind with the imagery of fleeting beauty, and none so more than the blossoming and ephemeral period of the Sakura ( cherry blossom) during spring in Japan. Indeed, the symbolic imagery of the Sakura blossom in ‘Love like the Falling Petals ‘ is supposed to represent the beating heart of the narrative. Melancholic and bittersweet in parts, ‘ Love Like the Falling Petals’ is a film which while helping to capture the unpredictable transience of the seasons and young love, could often feel just as fleeting as the cherry blossom.
The film is based upon Uyama Keisuke’s novel "My Lover, Like Cherry Blossoms" (“桜のような僕の恋人”). Adapted to the silver screen by screenwriters Tomoko Yoshida (‘The Liar and His Lover’, ‘Blue Spring Ride’ and ‘Gakkou no Kaidan’) and Uyama Keisuke (‘Switch Girl!!’, ‘Nobunaga Concerto’ and ‘Tonight, At Romance Theater’), the narrative predominantly focuses upon main male lead Haruto Asakura ( Nakajima Kento- ‘Koishite Akuma’, ‘Bad Boys J’ and ‘Nisekoi’). An aspiring photographer with low self-esteem, Haruto falls head over heels in love during a fateful encounter with bubbly hair stylist Ariake Misaki(Honoka Matsumoto- ‘Mio On the Shore’, ‘My Name Is Yours’ and ‘Byoshitsu de Nembutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai’).
However just as Haruto starts to gain confidence in order to pursue his lifelong ambitions in order to become a photographer, Misaki begins to develop a rare disease that causes her to age rapidly before the falling of next spring’s cherry blossom.
As mentioned previously, ‘Love like the Falling Petals’ attempted to offer its audience with a somewhat sombre reflection of the futility of contingency as well as young love. The initial tone set for the movie is established as somewhat bubbly and sprightly rom-com . ( As established with Haruto and Misaki’s unconventional ‘’meet cute’’ after Misaki accidentally cuts Haruto’s ear with a pair of scissors.)
However as the plot begins to be set in motion with Misaki’s evident dilemma, ‘Love like the Falling Petals’ turns into a sentimental sob story, occasionally dipping into a melodramatic tone also. In addition to our main leads there is also a subplot revolving around Misaki’s brother, Ariake Takashi (Nagayama Kento- ‘Puzzle’, ‘Crows Explode’ and ‘Toge: The Last Samurai’) and his fiancée Yoshino Ayano ( Sakurai Yuki-‘ Love Craft Girl’, ‘A Crimson Star’ and ‘The Night Beyond The Tricornered Window’) attempting to take on the financial burden of Misaki’s circumstances.
Nevertheless despite the attempts for the series to lament over the sorrows of time and existence, the narrative for ‘Love like the Falling Petals’ could often feel discombobulated with its messaging. Of course, while the movie did possess an intrinsic message and an arguable social critique surrounding the financial and emotional burdens of the elderly in Japanese society, these messages could often feel as though they were only approached on a surface-level. This was mainly due to the fact that ‘Love like the Falling Petals’ would often only brief skim over details in a bombastic manner (such as the limited screen time given to the subplot revolving around Misaki’s brother), rarely delving deeper in order to avoid offence.
Kento Nakajima starred as main lead Haruto by adding a reserved yet somewhat blatant charm to his onscreen persona. Co-starring alongside Nakajima was Honoka Matsumoto as Ariake Misaki. Despite Matsumoto’s brilliance as an actress, her performance as Misaki could feel somewhat overblown at times with overexaggerated line deliverances and reactions. Nevertheless, Matsumoto did help to add a tethered charm to Misaki in later scenes of the movie as she falls deeper into a cycle of senescence.
Nakajima and Matsumoto’s onscreen chemistry is decent enough. Matsumoto and Nakajima’s onscreen interactions could feel somewhat childish and stilted at times in the opening of the movie. However by the second-half of ‘Love Like the Falling Petals’, the main leads’ onscreen chemistry turns angst-ridden and woeful, adding a bittersweet as well as an overemotional tone by the ending of the film.
The trajectory of ‘Love Like the Falling Petals’ can arguably be divided into two parts. In the first-half of the film, the narrative takes a lively and pacy approach to Haruto and Misaki’s coup de foudre, while the second-half downplayed events in order to focus on a more serious matter of Haruto and Misaki’s attempting to overcome complicated relationship and problems.
Admittedly this did provide to be a double-edged sword for ‘Love Like the Falling Petals’; the first-half allowing opportunities for viewers to understand the liveliness of Haruto and Misaki’s early courtship, while helping to present the climatic problems of the final part. On the other hand rather than allowing opportunities to delve further into the emotional edge of the characters or their personal backgrounds, Misaki and Haruto’s depth as characters could feel somewhat limited. For example this was particularly shown through the problem of Haruto. His precise reasons for becoming a photographer were limited and unexplored, while the emotional toil for Misaki and her illness were often enforced rather than explored subtly.
In addition to the pacing of the film, it is important to acknowledge the talents of the directing under the leadership of Yoshihiro Fukagawa. Slick and glossy, Fukagawa’s filming encapsulated an onslaught of aesthetic symbols and scenery. In particular, Fukugawa placed heavy emphasis upon the changing of the seasons from the falling cherry blossoms of spring, to the first snowfall of winter in order to mark the literal and metaphorical cycle of the narrative. On the other hand despite some mesmeric moments of the film, the CGI displayed in the opening as well as long-distance shots at times could feel somewhat sloppy at times.
‘ Love Like the Falling Petals’ is a bittersweet love story about transience and young love. Nevertheless despite the movie’s impressive shots and cast line-up, the narrative could often become just as fleeting as the cherry blossom with limited writing cliches, pacing and execution.
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