Love is long in seven years I usually don’t like taking on long-term projects, but not in this case, which I have no regrets. In “Koinaka” not only starred my favorite actors Fukushima Sota (for the release of films of which I closely follow), Honda Tsubashi (who conquered me with her game in “The Unstoppable Youth) and Nomura Xuhei, whose play I met relatively recently – in the equally magnificent project “Hours of My Life”. The time I was.” All of them, by the way, have already starred together in “The Prism of Enoshiza”, released a year before this picture. It turned out to be a very good tandem, with a classic love triangle, complicated relationships and a considerable amount of romance. Rarely when you have to see F. Soth on the screen in the role of insecure, timid and indecisive loser. It was so much fun watching this movie.
“Love”, in principle, is no different from dozens of similar creations about long-term school love and growing up, throwing before new perspectives and feelings, which force you to return again and again to the experience at least in memories, until the mischievous fate again throws its surprise. But in this picture, the main bet is still made not on the plot, which changes its course several times, as if in Brazilian TV series, but on the relationships, feelings of the main characters. That’s why there are so many memories, emotions, romance. Even the heroes themselves are so versatile, take at least sister Aoi and his always funny friend. Nine episodes flew very quickly, largely due to excellent acting. They naughty and swear sometimes like small children - it seems that the film crew gave them full scope of action, without limiting their creativity. More often it helped and went to the benefit of the film, but sometimes it was difficult to believe that we have heroes who have already gone to the third decade.
The last series spoiled the impression somewhat - not by the plot itself, but by the actors' play. The plot as such was not in it - the whole intrigue ended in the first minutes: who will Akari marry? Perhaps, because the further actions of the actors looked strained, H. Tsubashi constantly laughed inappropriately, which was very annoying, other actors made fiery speeches, and the atmosphere of the holiday came out some unnatural. "Love" during the 2015 summer-autumn television show had high ratings. As the producer himself admits: “Love” received rave reviews from both the older and younger generations”, the actors were repeatedly invited to live online programs, where they answered numerous questions from fans. And the text of some episodes was replaced even during the filming. The audience apparently did not want to leave so easily with their favorite characters. Apparently, they planned to finish everything with eight episodes, but they had to enter the ninth and finish everything with a wedding (this is usually not typical for such teenage dramas). Which, obviously, was made hastily, hence a certain incoherence of the general concept. In my opinion, it was better to do without her. Anyway, the picture turned out great.
“Love” is quite suitable for lovers of romantic films and the Japanese worldview soul. Once again, I am convinced that oriental cinema is very soulful, fabulous and at the same time vital. Perhaps that is why the narrative here does not make sharp turns, but stretches slowly, sometimes even too much - like our whole life. As one viewer put it: After watching a Japanese movie, why don’t you want to go back to ours? And it's not about quality, but the most peaceful atmosphere. There are no fights, but in Western films, competitors on the heart of the girl would necessarily beat each other, both Aoi – just shook hands, wishing luck. There is respect here: for the elders, the choice of a loved one, no matter how terrible it may be for you, the fear of hurting the feelings of another - because in the East they always first care about their neighbor and only then about themselves. Perhaps we all lack this, and we are looking for it here, in a simple and at the same time very incomprehensible philosophy of the East.
8 out of 10