Really excellent, both as a mystery thriller of high school boys becoming involved in the lurid criminal underworld and in the unfolding of the characters of the protagonists. It's also a classic tale of how an innocent acting for good motives (helping his mother) gets caught up in crime. I also feel the BL theme is absolutely central to this movie. All the events that happened would simply not have developed the way they did but for the initial attraction between Se Joon and Yoon Jae. It's brought out when the pair meet at the end when the truth seems clear even if still unspoken. There's also the irony that the "strong" character Se Joon is revealed as vulnerable exactly where his deepest feelings lie - if he'd been strong enough to express his feelings to Yoon Jae I'm sure the triangle between him, Yoon Jae and Eun Yeong would have been shown as unreal and events would not have ended up as they did. I get the feeling Se Joon realised his attraction but could not express it, whereas Yoon Jae was too innocent and suppressed his feelings but may have finally realised the truth too late. Depends how you interpret the ending. I felt sorry for poor Eun Yeong - well played by the lovely Moon Ga Young - who was really caught in the middle between two boys unable to fully express their love for each other. The treatment of her character's part was for me the most objectionable aspect of the movie - if maybe justified by the plot. The ending was also very well thought out and acted, even if - for those of us with a romantic outlook - a real bummer. Re-watch value high because even when you know the story, it's a pleasure to appreciate the finer details of how the characters develop and the plot is acted out.

Citeste mai mult

Almost perfect short movie, dealing sensitively with both the problems faced by the hearing impaired in building a bridge to others to express their deepest feelings and BL. Very brave to tackle both subjects in one movie. Very well acted, timing almost perfect. I was not clear whether each had the same depth of feelings for the other at the end of the movie, but perhaps this was left purposely ambivalent. The Japanese seem to be able to produce these very accomplished movies with a refinement of feeling and mood which is difficult to find elsewhere, though both the Japanese and Korean film industries are imho far ahead of those in other Asian countries in terms of production values. Will definitely re-watch in the future.

Citeste mai mult

Seeing the end of this movie, I've increased my rating. It seems initially just a gentle-paced, interesting story of some male hustlers. However the seemingly bizarre ending is a very clever twist indeed, making the lead character (Tatsuru) confront his own character and the life he's leading, which is based on suppressing his real feelings. There's also an interesting twist before that involving one of his former "clients". I can't say more or I'll give the plot away. But I will say that this movie will repay careful watching and thought. It's more than just a pleasant amusement with some pleasant faced actors. I have to disagree with the other reviewer. I think the slow pace and the talking are all part of the build up to what is a thought-provoking ending. I hope I'm right in thinking that it's a good ending in the sense that people can only grow when they get insight into themselves and how true to themselves they are being in the life they are leading. For me that's a good ending and a meaningful movie.

Citeste mai mult

I'm really surprised no one has done a review of this film. I loved it except for the ending. But this actually falls into a genre with a long tradition in poetry and literature - the age old tale of "courtly love" - you can trace it back to Genji or mediaeval Europe - courting the loved one and sacrificing everything for him (or her in the European tradition). Gay lovers were not subject to the same discrimination in the Chinese and Japanese  (until Meiji) traditions (see e.g. Ihara Saikaku's The Great Mirror of Male Love). Plus there has to be a villain - and that music teacher brought something coldly sinister to it (ugh!). The music of Debussy was a bonus. A gem of a movie - but I was hoping he'd match the love shown him and return at last. Life's not like that, is it? Pity. A beautiful movie. What happened to Tsuyoshi Hataya?

Citeste mai mult

Brilliant dark gay-themed thriller with solid characterization, tight plot and good production values. The settings show film noir influence. Don't let the initial wedding scenes put you off, this really takes off after this is out of the way and the relationship between photgrapher Bae (Kim MIn Joon) and his friend (the groom) operating a photographic/modelling studio is established as a basis for the plot development. Ryu, working in an organized prostitution racket, becomes the centre-piece of the plot and is an entirely believable character, well acted by Ishida Hoshi (a name to watch). The ending is very skilfully done and certainly has you thinking to work out what happened. A solid gay-themed production, well worth a watch if you go for thriller-type movies. Not for those looking for sensitive romance.

Citeste mai mult

Very touching movie told in compact episodes (i.e. events seem to be left hanging and then you find out how you got to the next bit by the use of back story, so you have to just carry on watching even if it may seem confusing) so it's all very well pieced together into a tight organic whole. Interesting background issues with China's modernization, Tiananmen etc. If you don't like movies with sad parts this, this may not be for you. I don't either, but of course I didn't know how the movie would turn out. But it's worth persevering for the moving story of how a relationship develops and is sustained over a long period. Fine acting and directing. I give re-watch values based on whether it justifies re-watching, although I must admit I'm inclined to skip sad ones - life's sad enough as it is!

Citeste mai mult

Really sweet story, it's not giving much away to say it's a "triangle" story based on misunderstandings - a typical BL format. My rating for story is based on how it's handled. Touching love scenes. The boys are tops in the eye candy department. Plus why do you always feel sorry for the one causing the problems? There's a very nice comic episode too. Not sure the bit tacked on at the end adds much, but that's my opinion. It's relatively short but probably just right to fit in all the ingredients and hold interest with no padding. If you're a sucker for sweet stories, cute boys and with happy endings, watch it!!

Citeste mai mult

This is one of my favourite movies. I found it a really interesting and watchable treatment of a developing gay relationship between two boys unsure of their sexuality and wanting to explore in the face of the usual prejudice and snide remarks of other adolescent boys in a school. But it also bravely tackled a subject that is even more a minority and sensitive one than gay life - cross-dressing., though it does go beyond merely that theme, so I wouldn't be put off if you're not really into that. It's amazing how this movie managed to pack so much into a short time, showing the far from smooth development of this friendship and relationship without seeming rushed. I thought the actors were completely convincing and came across very well. Researching their other work I'm surprised they haven't done more. Recommended.

Citeste mai mult

Love it - you have to watch a while to get the comical slant of what at first appears a slightly OTT "bullying - masochistic" theme but the game is given away quite early (I won't spoil it by saying how - you have to watch carefully), it is really done very well and the good-looking protagonists (well, to me they are) kept me watching, some might say Kurosaki was OTT and Akahane OTT passive but that's actually the nature of manga, it doesn't generally do "refined" (does it??) Not for everyone, maybe, but I absolutely loved the dark humour and bizarre characters, and (I have to confess) Kurosaki best.

Music - well I picked out Vivaldi, Mozart, Dvorak, Prokofiev and Debussy, so how much better can you get? Very refined these kids.

Re-watch for me 11/10

Citeste mai mult