Two lonely hearts It turns out that this is the third film by Japanese director Takahiro Miki, which he discovered. I will not hide that they are all very similar to each other (especially Solanin with the incomparable Aoi Miyazaki, released a year earlier), primarily in its atmosphere and theme of misunderstanding. The film belongs to the category of arthouse and is unlikely to be shown to a wide audience, and whether it is necessary - after all, films like "Mayak" (namely, it is translated from Japanese) will appeal only to a thoughtful viewer looking for something special and atmospheric in the picture, maybe somewhere - even a piece of himself, a feeling once experienced. What happens in the film with Kaqueru can happen not only in the Land of the Rising Sun, but in any other on Earth. The theme of loneliness and misunderstanding, despair and isolation is familiar to all of us. If you weren’t a black sheep at school, you’re probably familiar with the term. Some are given fame and popularity, others become outcasts and close themselves inside.
That's our hero. Until one day he encounters the same as himself - a new 15-year-old student Mu (Ai Hashimoto). Unlike Kakeru Fujita (Kento Yamazaki), she doesn’t fall into pessimism and even sees her seclusion as charming. Gradually, teenagers are getting closer, and now they dream of creating their own musical group. Everything is nothing, only the plight of Mu’s father, or rather his huge debt is constantly haunted by the family, wherever in Japan it moved. I don't quite understand Fujito's inaction, although what could he have done at the age of 15? Takahiro Miki has always remained true to himself and his style.
There is not much music in the film, especially for a film about music, but the one that is perfect. It is a pity, of course, that the director did not stop at a clear ending, leaving instead a greasy ellipsis and space for the viewer’s imagination, but I want to believe in the best and that both characters, having grown up, of course, will meet again. The film is suitable for viewing those who are looking for space on the screen for thoughts, want a soulful atmospheric movie. There are no vivid experiences or any explosion of emotions. As with all of Takahiro Miki’s paintings, the narrative continues smoothly and slowly, like life itself, and the film has become an expression of Japanese teenage romance. By the way, who is interested: as the director himself admitted, the creation of this film “Lighthouse” was inspired by the eponymous song of the Japanese rock group Galileo Galilei, which became a real hit and sales leader in the country.
7 out of 10