Takao Akizuki doesn’t have a great home
life. His mother is either there or not,
depending on her mood. His father isn’t
in the picture. He’s basically being
raised by his older brother, who will be moving out soon. This leaves the 15-year-old to skip his
morning classes, but he only does so on rainy days.
While skipping class, he goes to Shinjuku
Gyoen National Garden, where he meets Yukari Yukino, aged 27. They strike up a friendship. She has problems of her own, but it’s not
clear how far they go. She seems to
subsist on beer and chocolate, as she claims that’s all she can taste.
Takao is more open, telling Yukari all
about himself. He wants to be a
shoemaker, which he isn’t good at and can’t really afford. She’s rather reserved about things. She seems interested in (or at least tolerant
of) Takao. Despite the age difference,
he develops feelings for her, which she doesn’t really reciprocate.
It’s one of those interesting movies
that I kept putting off. It was only 46
minutes, but there was something about the story that didn’t quite strike me as
interesting. Even after watching it, I
wouldn’t describe it as something I’d normally watch.
The story is more about an unrequited
romance and a boy who’s being forced to grow up. He meets a woman much older than him who is
uncertain that she ever really grew up, herself. The CGI is also heavily computer
animated. It almost seems real in some
places. (I’ll admit that this is coming from someone who is used to Studio
Ghibli.) Despite the method, there is an
attention to detail, which is appreciated.
My one complaint is that Takao seems to
be the only character that seems to have much detail. I suppose the lack of development for Yukari
is deliberate. We kind of need that for
the big reveal later on. To have such a
compact story does work on a certain level.
It puts the focus on Takao and his life.
Everything else works in relation to him. Even when he takes Yukari’s measurements, it
doesn’t seem sexual. He’s honestly
interested in becoming a better shoemaker.
I didn’t find the age difference
disturbing. I suppose most teenagers
have had an adult that they had a crush on.
It wasn’t until much later that we realize why it would never happen and
Yukari does handle the situation with grace.
(For concerned parents and teenagers, there’s nothing objectionable
about their relationship.)
It’s not perfect, but the movie is an
enjoyable way to pass an hour if you have the time. It’s exactly the kind of movie I like having
on Netflix.
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