Director: Sekine Kosai
Distributor: Klock Worx
Release Date: Nov. 9, 2018
Cast: Shuri, Suda Masaki, Naka Riisa
Genre: Drama, romance, slice of life
Notes: Based on a novel, 1 hour and 49 minutes

Review:


The story is about Yasuko who lives with her boyfriend, Tsunagi, and does nothing all day but sleep. When she's awake, she's depressed and couldn't control her emotions. She doesn't work nor in school; not even helping with the household chores. Yes, she's annoying but wait, hear her story first.


Tsunagi, on the other hand, originally wanted to be a writer but ended up working in a gossip magazine which reveals celebrities' dark secrets, driving others to suicide. He has an ex-girlfriend, called Ando, who found out he lives with a hikikomori. She wanted to break them up by helping Yasuko stand on her own feet and find a job. Now, that's what makes the story interesting. However, it wasn't as easy as Ando thought it would be.


First of all, I like the execution of the movie, from its atmosphere, cinematography, etc. I love Shuri's realistic portrayal of a depressed hikikomori with hypersomnia. Her acting was on point, and as an audience, you could really feel the pain dripping from even her miniscule facial expressions.

However, I don't like how the other characters in this movie seemed to underestimate and ridicule depression. It's not something that can easily vanished just by working or bonding with people. Getting a job and going back to society are two good ways to start but that's not exactly a cure. Many working adults have depression, too.


Yasuko certainly needs help to take care of her mental health and the people around her didn't even seem to care. So, what if she doesn't have a health insurance or something? That shouldn't be a reason for them not to do something. Her nee-chan (older sister) seemed to care but didn't even bother to personally check on her. Is it because it's too troublesome? Whatever.

I understand that Tsunagi has his own sets of problem, too, but he decided to take Yasuko in and live with her, he should have done something rather than turning a blind eye to her mental issues. *sighs in japanese*

Overall, I still gave this movie a pretty high score because of Shuri's acting.

Rating: ★★★☆☆