Inakunare Gunjo (2019)

(spoiler free review)
It's a little complicated to do a review of this movie.

If you asked me to rate this movie before I watched the last 30 minutes, I would have said it deserved a 7 or a 7,5.
The "mystery" wasn't even a mystery, because nobody cared; the characters are one-dimensionnal at best; and I didn't know what the story wanted, and where we were going.

But the "revelation" happens 30 minutes before the end, and everything makes sense. That's why I made my final rating a 8,5.
This is also the reason why I didn't rate higher. Because before the 30 minutes mark, the movie is just way too "mysterious" :
The hints aren't really hints, or makes us think of something entirely different.
Sometimes I wondered if the characters were boring, or if the actors were just bad.
And the heroine was annoying, even though everybody seemed interested in her.

Of course, it all makes sense, now, but I still watched 1h15 of a not bad but not amazing movie. I watched it till the end, because I wanted to know if I was right about the "secret" of the island (I was very wrong, of course, it's impossible to guess).
That's why, it's a little complicated to review. It's a good movie, but you really need to watch till the end to find it good.

Acting wise, I expected good things from Yokohama Ryusei, and wasn't disapointed. He's interesting to watch, and takes you attention away even with a "boring" character. The secondary actors were pretty amazing, especially the boys, Kuroba Mario & Matsuoka Koudai, one making a one dimensionnal character attching, and the other for almost never appearing, but still having all of our attention.

Talking about not appearing, and almost without any lines : Yahagi Honoka.
She's amazing. She's sucking all the attention of the viewer without even talking. Maybe that's why I felt like Iitoyo Marie was kinda lacking. She's not a bad actress at all. But next to a strong casting, she fell flat. Her character was really difficult to act (well, not relly, but it was difficult to make her attaching), so I think a stronger actress hsould have been casted. BECAUSE it's difficult. But it wasn't bad, just not as good as the others

I have ZERO real knowledge about movie music, so I can't really judge. But I'm obsessed with the ending song, so I rated it 9.

Still, the movie was very interesting, the concept is pretty amazing, and well done. I can't wait for people to watch it to discuss about it!

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strange but calm

The movie didn't leave a huge impact on me nor is it very memorable. I don't recall the small details even right after watching nor do I feel like there was ever a climactic moment of the journey (if there is one). The events that take place within the plot are incredibly subtle, even up till the last few moments. There doesn't seem to be an end resolve either, it just IS. This review probably doesn't make sense however, the film itself has it's own color and it's own vibe that is consistent throughout. I think that's one of it's strengths that kept me watching. Although it's incredibly slow and anticlimactic, there's something about the calmness that draws me in.

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