A game of unrequited love Kisaragi is a sweet and naive girl who talks to herself all the time. In general, this tendency to bring your own thoughts to the public eye is not new to Japanese cinema. But here she's overly hyperbolized. I want to say that this does not happen in everyday life. So is too much sadomasochism with this game of unrequited love. It is clear that the girl recently broke her heart, rejecting the confession of pure and secret love. Therefore, she is afraid of new feelings, hiding behind the game of unrequited love. But what begins as a child's joke in fact very soon acquires a serious scope and develops into real feelings.
It is worth saying that the guy did not hide that he liked Kisaragi. Pampered by excessive attention of fans, Tigira is tired of insincere feelings, wants peace and serious relationships. But by nature, a man is docile, he agrees to the terms of Kisaragi’s game of unrequited love. In my opinion, many points regarding the line of this character, the authors only outlined, but not properly developed. For example, the introduction to the plot of his 5-year-old sister. On the one hand, it shows the caring nature of Tigira, his inner character. However, only outlines history without describing its depths.
I think the film was saved by the sincere play of actress May Hut. The rise of this young 20-year-old star began recently with “The Magic of Chocolate” (2021), where she performed her first major role. Kisaragi in her performance came out so sincere and naive that you just admire her character. The actress gave her all, literally inspired by her role, it was felt during the viewing. Let life here is not much like that, and the creators embody in the plot several beaten, but time-tested techniques. For example, there are parallels with “Blinded by You” (2015). But Hata was a real miracle for the project. Choosing the right actors is half the battle. This is only the second major role in the career of the actress, but the potential is clearly felt. So I think we’ll see her in the first place again.
Kyohei Takahashi, who played Kisaragi’s partner on the set, seems to be the exact opposite. His Tigira is so staid, thorough and constantly confident. But that's just the outside. Gradually, getting closer and falling in love with the guy, Kisaragi discovers his new side. Both looked good in tandem. Although there was not much needed chemistry between the characters, this was enough for such an easy romantic comedy.
In general, Takehiko Shinjo likes to attract in his projects unpromoted actors, unsophisticated in their field, but therefore seeking to show all their strength, to give their all. As stated in one of his interviews, the director: he likes to reveal new talents, find them, opening the way to a big movie. So it was in his time with the incomparable Aoi Miyazaki, Masaki Okada, Mei Nagano. And now Mei Hata and Kyohei Takahashi. Therefore, the choice of actors is quite explainable, and as always - to the point, in this Shinjo - a real Master.
Of course, the film is very naive and certain moments are infuriating from the beginning. As the audience for their film, the creators clearly chose impressionable young women 12-14 years old, because even for a comedy very many moments look very naive. It is rather strange, considering that the director is not a beginner in the genre, the author of such successful and strong projects as I Just Love You (2006), I Give You My First Love (2009), Your April Lies (2016), etc. Although in recent years, Takehiko Shinjo, succumbing to the trend and order of time, increasingly focuses on films built on emotions and hypertrophied actions of the characters – films that will appeal primarily to an unpampered impressionable young audience.
Some interesting points:
- The film is based on the manga of the same name by Anan Kujira (English \'And yet, you are so sweet\') (2017), but according to her readers - from the original source is different.
- The box office of the film was 6,099,393 US dollars.
6 out of 10