Drawing Closer (2024)

3 Gerberas, 2 Funerals and A Match Made In Heaven

***DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone. This review contains spoilers so I suggest watching the film first before reading.***

「 ❝An untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all❞ 」

I just finished watching this, and I must stress that it is not for the faint of heart. If you are super sensitive still want to watch, I recommend bringing a box of tissues because you will probably cry. If you liked 20th Century Girl, you will definitely appreciate this.

General Overview:

Drawing Closer is an astoundingly beautiful film that had a great influence on me, with both its narrative and visual brilliance. From the first scene to the end credits, the film immerses the audience in a universe where every frame is precisely produced, with each shot a monument to the director's vision and the cinematographer's talent. The emotionally charged tale delves into the complex complexities of human relationships, capturing moments of joy, sadness, love, and loss with a raw honesty rarely seen in film. The characters are well developed, their journeys realistic and moving so much so that the story elicits a wide spectrum of emotions that remain with you long after the film has concluded. The performances are outstanding, with each actor adding a distinct and compelling presence to their role, heightening the film's emotional impact. The eerie and evocative musical composition perfectly compliments the storyline, increasing the emotional experience while adding levels of meaning to the plot. "Drawing Closer" is more than a film; it's an experience, a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul, leaving an unforgettable impression on anyone who sees it.

In More Detail:

The plot revolves around two terminally ill teenagers who come into each other’s life.

What to expect:

- Characters dealing with grief/death and how to overcome the inevitable.
- Two artists and how their passion of drawing / painting and seeing the world in different colors binds them together.
- Friendship and familial ties.
- Longing / yearning and first love.
- Secrets and misunderstandings (with good reason)
- A heartfelt, coming-of-age plot

The performance was convincing and well-done. Haruna has a fate she cannot escape, yet I really admire her positive view on life. Akito was a really endearing character. He was so charmingly sweet and soft boy coded. His hopeless romantic side really shined through. I adored how he wanted to make the most of his limited time by assisting Haruna in having a happy and fulfilling life while she still had hers. It's also great that they seemed to have saved each other. She was Snow White and he was her Prince Florian (iykyk)

I would rate this an 8/10 rounded up to an 8.5/10. It was so good it made me cry multiple times (after the 5th time, I stopped counting lol) The emotional side is undeniable, but I wish our leads had more moments together, including the kiss Haruna requested. I think I am being greedy but that would have definitely ended me. I have to say, this is a very pure and sweet story. It's simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming.

I loved it and I now have a much deeper appreciation for Gerberas and their symbolism.

I believe anyone of any age can watch this; I highly recommend it, especially if you want a good cry.

I don't think I'd rewatch it "right now," but maybe after some time has passed. I believe Drawing Closer is one of those films you save for when you want to feel something. It's a movie you can watch on a rainy day to let you reflect on the beauty of life.

One of the take away messages of this drama that really struck me was to live your life to the fullest. It serves as a reminder that regardless of how limited your time on this earth may be, you should embrace life fully and love deeply. Treasure those who are close to you because even if you believe you won't influence their lives, there is a huge possibility that you will, and those individuals will honor and respect your memory eternally.

With all that being said, this is a tragic story, and it may not be for everyone, so proceed with caution.


As always,
Thanks for reading & happy watching!

(P.S. If you are in withdrawal please go watch edits of the Drawing Closer couple, you won't regret it)

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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A bittersweet journey but worth it.

This is solely my opinion and it's not necessary that you should agree with this.
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"Drawing Closer" is about two 17 year olds who could relate to each other. They both are ill and not much time is left for them in this world. They also share the same interest.

I've been looking forward to this movie ever since Netflix released the teaser and it did not let me down. Also this is my 2nd time watching a Japanese show. I'm a sucker for melo movies or dramas so I could enjoy this to the end. This movie was literally heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. It really touched my heart and I'm sure it will touch yours too if you're watching this.

Story: I liked how there were no unnecessary stuff. The characters were nice and cute. No one was annoying and I loved how Haruna's friend and Akito were bickering all the time. I also liked the ending. It was bittersweet but still I loved how it was done that way and in most shows this isn't the case. It had emotional depth. I liked how it was unique in some way. Also those flowers 😭 Everybody got the spotlight and the leads were so cute.

Acting: Acting was good and I have no complaints. I did not feel any lack of chemistry or anything like that. Its my first time seeing these actors and I'm gonna watch some of their projects soon.

OST: Haven't heard it yet so I'll hear it when I'm free and then write a review on that.

Even if it was a 2 hour movie I enjoyed it till the end. The cinematography and production were remarkable and it did not feel rushed or anything. I also have no problem with the direction too. The background OSTs made this ven more painful. I recommend you watch this if you like heartbreaking/melo stuff. I usually don't cry watching fiction but this one was different. This made me sad but my heart is warm after this. . . It's a rare gem that evoked genuine emotions. This movie will always hold a special place in my heart. Anyway that's it. With that, I'm giving this movie a 9.0.


Thank you for reading! Have a great time watching if you are.

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✮⋆˙ 余命一年の僕が、余命半年の君と出会った話 ✮⋆˙

Drawing closer this movie is about Hasayaka Akito who is a very talented artist, he is working hard to be accepted for the Nika Exhibition, but a tumor is discovered in his heart, and he is told that he has one year left to live. One day he meets a girl at the same hospital he is diagnosed who has the same deseace as him her name is Sakurai Haruna who is also a painter and draws the people she misses the most around her. Everyday Akito visited Haruna with 5-6 Gerberas he gets attached to her everyday more and more and falls in love. 6 Gerberas mean he loves her already.
I haven't seen any movie this year but this one brought me to tears, both Haruna and Akito are amazing actors and its so worth watching this movie ♥ ♥ ♥

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the reason why I won’t watch it again is cause it is too beautiful and sad for me to bear

okay okay I’ll stop crying and write a proper review let’s start with the plot. The plot as you might have guess sad and beautiful. A love story between a girl who has 6months to live and a boy who has 1yr to live. A girl who looks forward to dying and a boy who is scared of dying. A girl who has no attachment to this world and a boy who gave her a reason. Their are movies similar to it but in those the boy is always in good health. so it was a unique take and I liked this more cause in this case I believe he will understand her better and feel her pain better.

The acting? absolutely fantastic. No I am not saying this cause I couldn’t stop crying… maybe I am but anyways the acting vibarated through the screen for me and as I don’t know anything about the actors I have no bias… perhaps their is one now but that’s a separate matter. It was deep and soulful the way they acted. When they were sick I could feel they were sick the way they spoke, the way their eyes showed deep love and sorrow… the actors have a bright future ahead. Not just the ML and FL but the supporting cast as well.

The songs? Beautiful of course. The painting? heart reanching and beautiful. My heart? Broken and dead.



*SPOILER AHEAD*




P.S. After this if I ever see a Gemera I will freaking cry my eyes out. How am I supposed to live violen breaks my heart, now Gemera these directors must always put something particular… Okay Okay I am not crying anymore

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Beautiful & Emotional

A deeply moving and beautifully executed film, this masterpiece carries profound messages that leave viewers introspecting and, in some ways, evolving into better versions of themselves.

Immense gratitude to the entire crew for creating such an extraordinary piece of cinematic art! 💖

Here’s what stood out to me about this movie:

Cinematography and Color Grading:
The visuals were simply breathtaking. Each frame felt like a work of art painted on a canvas, leaving me with goosebumps. Kudos to the director of photography and the colorists for their impeccable work, elevating every scene with stunning detail.

Acting, Script, and Editing:
The performances were nothing short of spectacular. The cast delivered their roles with such authenticity that every emotion felt raw and genuine. The script was finely tuned, and the editing ensured a seamless flow that carried the audience effortlessly through the story.

Background Music:
The score complemented the narrative beautifully. It amplified the emotional weight of key moments and added depth to the storytelling, proving how crucial sound is to the overall experience.

Key Highlights:
The chemistry between the lead characters, Hayasaka and Haruna, was heartwarming and bittersweet. Their connection was portrayed with a subtlety that felt natural and unforced. By the end, their heartfelt expressions left me teary-eyed. The conclusion was beautifully executed, leaving a lasting impression with its grace and poignancy.

What I Learned:
This movie is a testament to the art of character development. While it begins at a slow pace, it gradually deepens, immersing the audience in the evolving relationship between the protagonists. Without excessive dialogue or overt declarations of love, their bond is depicted through meaningful actions and heartfelt gestures. It’s a touching reminder to treasure the people around us and to cherish every moment we have with them.

Beyond the sadness, this film also celebrates the complexities of love. It paints a vivid picture of how relationships can be messy yet incredibly powerful and enduring.

The characters feel so authentic that you’ll find yourself fully invested in their journey, rooting for them through every challenge. This movie isn’t just something you watch—it’s something you carry with you long after the credits roll.

The director has an exceptional understanding of human emotions, crafting a narrative that’s both visually stunning and emotionally profound. The actors truly shine, embodying their characters so deeply that they seem to step off the screen.

This is an unforgettable film, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s an experience you won’t regret—just don’t forget the tissues! ❤️

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Absolutely broke me- Love with a time limit

The script is so beautifully written. I don't think I can find the words to describe the heartbreak I felt.
Some part of me kept hoping to the very end that they wouldn't die, even after he got the surgery I kept praying that he would live longer, but this movie really made me face reality.
I have to give it to the actors, their talent and hard work made the whole experience so much more realistic. You could see the depth of their realities in their eyes, considering the fact that their reality is death. They did an amazing job portraying the sadness, desperation, willpower, and their fight for their lives.
The story itself is beautiful and I find a sense of beauty in this sadness. Regardless of how distraught I felt from the pure sadness this movie presented to me, I would rewatch it. This is also mainly due to the cinematography. It held the most weight in setting the scene and everything fell into place accordingly. Everything just felt right. Also amidst the very depressing loss of our leads lives, the cinematography proved to provide a sense of comfort because that is also exactly what the producers were trying to do (I believe). They were trying to show us viewers the beauty there is in finding solace in people even when we see the end of the road. It also showed how precious life really is and what truly matters when we live on this earth.
There is so much more I feel I could say with all the symbolism and pure emotions we were presented with.
DEFINITELY WORTH THE WATCH!!

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Heartfelt, heartbreaking movie that felt like it lacked something

Truth be told I have been anticipating the release of this movie for months as I'm a huge fan of nagase ren. I already read the synopsis so I also knew the movie was going to be heartbreaking so I prepared myself going in since it was evident I was in for a tearjerker.

This movie was initially marketed as a romance so I was expecting a tragic romance movie similar in nature to "your lie in April" or "I want to eat your pancreas" and it was but I felt like it left something to be desired. I wasn't fully satisfied with the portrayal of the romantic relationship of the two leads of this movie.

Even though they had spectacular chemistry and they are both amazing actors in their own right that both fulfilled the roles they were given in this movie to the best of their ability I felt like the movie was holding back on progressing them romantically by quite a bit. there was little to no romantic progression and a very vague confession towards the end that got the message across but I wanted something more direct.

The leads barely got involved romantically and even while the FL, Haruna, was alive she described their relationship as being "best friends" which kinda irked me because they were clearly romantically interested in each other yet they never confessed.

I feel like the "sad" part of the movie would have been further exemplified if they portrayed them more as a couple instead of best friends when this is very clearly a romance movie and the ending furthers this claim that their relationship can't really be described as platonic despite it being portrayed as such.

And so the entire movie I was waiting for that one special moment that would signify that yes..they are in love but it never came except the vague confession at the end when she had already passed away and that led to the movie feeling rather bland.

On the contrary, my main gripe with the movie aside everything else was pretty cool. I liked the sound design. The main OST is spectacular and a certified banger. The character development is superb and you really get to see the ML, Akito, really grow as a person in a realistic manner and the story itself progressed nicely and didn't feel rushed or slow, the pacing was just perfect for a movie of this nature.

Also like I mentioned before the acting was really good. I can't say I have ever seen a drama from the FL before but I am aware she's in "ao Haru ride" and after watching this movie and witnessing her performance I feel more inclined in watching more dramas/movies from her. As for nagase ren I was already a fan and I'm even m ore so now. I like how he can create such a great chemistry with his female costars and really make you root for him.

All in all, this was a pretty decent movie and I recommend you check it out for yourself as well to form your own opinion you might even like it more than me.

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If you need an outlet to cry, this is the one

A good sad movie is one that made me cry really hard and this is one of them. From the get-go, I already knew the two leads are highly going to die but even with this knowledge, I am still not mentally prepared for all the emotional scenes. Those really hit very hard especially when it’s about coming to terms to one’s demise which personally once thought I was going too. The movie has also had many warm moments that melts my hard. I really like how the leads find strength from one another to continue living. How I wish I can find one too… Even though the movie is 2hrs, I never thought there was any wasted moments which Japanese movies tend to veer towards too. All the performers acted brilliantly and the music really supports well with the scenes. I would totally watch this again if I want to cry.

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"Heaven is nice. I'm really looking forward to it"

meeting under similar circumstances, one was told she had six months left, and the other had a year left. their meeting wasn’t just a coincidence, they both in same situation and same passion; painting. one isn’t afraid anymore, while the other is determined to spend their remaining time with his loved one. tgey build a friendship and romance, eager to face each day together because of their love. eventually, only one of the three is left, placing their heart with Akito too. the Gerbera flower really means a lot. Drawing Closer was full of emotion and sweetness. i love the songs too!

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