LOVE MY LIFE

Love my life is a Japanese movie based on a josei comic of the same name. Starring Rei Yoshii (Ichiko) and Asami Imajuku (Eri). They are in a lesbian relationship, when Ichiko decides to… well not exactly “come out” but to pretty much tell everyone in her life. the reason its not a full blown “coming out” is because she still openly lies to people around her about the situation… JUST her close friends and family know. Casual aquaintances are kept in the dark. Why this is… is explained throughout the movie, and actually makes sense. its not so much that she’s scared… but more of to protect others around her that don’t wish to be discriminated on. for example, her partner, Eri… is under a lot of pressure by her conservative father to become a lawyer… he is quite a mean man… and would NOT tolerate “such behavior”. and as he pays for Eri’s life COMPLETELY (education, housing, food)… Ichiko feels its best to keep certain things a secret.

What is shocking, however… is when she tells her father. He in turn admits to him being gay, and that her MOTHER was a lesbian as well.. they were best friends who decided to get married… but never actually had a loving marriage as a couple. At first, Ichiko is VERY traumatized by this… which is insanely ironic (considering she herself is a lesbian)…. yet…. obviously she realizes that if her family is willing to accept her… she better accept her family as well…….

My view of this movie? well… its done ok. the cinematography is maybe average… 5/10
the directing is good and the story is original and insightful. the acting is also done welll….. HOWEVER… it somehow just feels like a tv show more than a movie. a 2 hour long special season finale of a tv show…. as opposed to a real movie/film.

Also, japanese films USUALLY don’t follow a western plot pattern… OR even other asian culture plot pattern. they don’t have this “opening/problem/climax” pattern. they simply…. are. Japanese movies OFTEN have a habit of making you feel you are watching a random part of someone’s life. a string of events from someone’s life… without a specific “goal” in mind.

I personally DON’T like this. But, thats just my opinion. there’s a reason japanese movies make it to other countries, and I think other people may like this. so while i can’t judge this negatively, i can simply statemy point… that i don’t like it.

The movie was original though, and an interesting take on the “expected” problems of someone telling people they are of a homosexual background. it did give me some insight into their lifestyle as well as problems.

I must say however… BY FAR… my favorite part of this movie was seeing two hot girls make out…. constantly. over and over. in many scenes. with nudity. sweet.