The latest Japanese romance-drama film, Love Like the Falling Petals, has a running time of two hours and eight minutes. The literal title is “My Dearest, like a Cherry Blossom,” which I find significantly more appealing and lovely. It’s based on Keisuke Uyama’s 2017 novel of the same name.
Love Like the Falling Petals, starring Kento Nakajima and Honoka Matsumoto, is around the sad love story of a photographer and his hairdresser. As the two very young-looking lovebirds try to date, they “fall in love.” Their love tale is put on hold when Misaki (Matsumoto) realizes she has a rare condition that causes her to age fast in front of their eyes.
The love story begins with how the two met, how she nearly cuts off his ear when she discovers he is a photographer, and how the two go on a few dates. These dates are difficult and nearly unwelcome. Nonetheless, they declare at random that they “want to fall in love” with one another when one is being taken away on the train. The plot is disjointed, and the love narrative is lost as they try to find a cure for her disease, which is more akin to searching for happiness than a romantic drama.
She is diagnosed with a rare disease and does not want to harm Haruto (male protagonist). She runs away from him and makes whatever excuse she can to keep a space between them.
Unfortunately, Misaki’s diagnosis with the terrible sickness flips her world upside-down instantly. The picture transitions from a cheerful rom-com to something a lot more mellow, sad, and heartbreaking. You have to be in the correct mindset for this movie, which is an issue given its two separate tones.
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Unfortunately, it’s also mixed in with an unsuitable commentary about the strain of caring for the elderly and how it might ruin your relationship and work. It’s an odd message, and I’m not sure if that was the filmmaker’s purpose.
This perplexing messaging ultimately makes the picture feel contradictory to watch. Is it proper for me to repent Misaki’s continued presence? Is it proper for me to feel sorry for Takashi for shouldering the family’s financial burden? Is it my responsibility to regard Takashi as an opponent and unite around Misaki? None of this is conveyed well, and it’s a flaw that ultimately prevents this from being a more compelling viewing.
The middle of this film, in particular, is a fantastic example of this, as Misaki transitions from a beloved protagonist to someone who is – at times – difficult to root for. Misaki becomes a recluse as her diagnosis progresses, hiding behind large sunglasses and headscarves. It’s difficult to connect with her until late in the film, during the heartbreaking ending.
The storyline then examines how Misaki’s older brother (Kento Nagayama) and his now-fiancée (Yuki Sakurai) struggle as they shoulder the financial weight of her dilemma. The financial, emotional, and physical strain older people place on their loved ones is underlined. It doesn’t give me much hope for the future. This may be a social issue in Japan that they attempt to emphasize and make people aware of, but it depressed me. I didn’t feel inspired or hopeful; instead, I felt bored and alone. This film does not glorify love or life but rather opposes it.
The ending is terrible, but it also teaches you a few things. Misaki’s dedication to Haruto’s life was wonderful, and things eventually turned in his favour. Misaki’s eternal love for Haruto drove her to endure her ordeal, but he didn’t even recognize her in the end.
The film’s cinematography is excellent, and the actors have given their all. Misaki’s face is not visible until the very end of the film, and the scenes are shot so that we see the story through her eyes. A lot of work has gone into the film, yet it loses its meaning and path somewhere along the way.
This is supposed to reflect the changing of the seasons. Still, given how much focus is placed on Haruto and his photography, I’m not sure why the filmmakers didn’t just show this on a polaroid picture, gradually fading out to show an establishing shot of Tokyo.
‘Love Like The Falling Petals’ is a good film that can be watched in free time by those interested.
