Life Senjou no Bokura: Director's Cut (2020)

Cute but Superficial

I was a bit underwhelmed by this movie and found it spread too thinly to really realise any depth. It suffered from trying to achieve too much in too little time. The film explored the familiar territory of trying to be and feel normal in a society that does not accept you as such, but without a unique angle to give it originality. The snippets of life and relationship at different stages that we were offered did not really allow me as a viewer to connect with either character and I didn’t feel much chemistry between the actors either.

The love story was sweet and cute but relied on a quirky and often hackneyed script that did not always give credibility to the emotions being expressed. There was little subtlety to be had from the direction and cinematography, which could have better utilised facial expressions and body language to convey the message and the mood instead of the bland and obvious spoken thoughts. I would strongly recommend “Old Fashion Cupcake” as a far superior watch for anyone who enjoys this type of genre and is looking for a more mature approach.

What my rating means: 6+ Some aspects of it were OK but it had serious flaws. It will pass the time but you can find something better.

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A Lifelong Story that is well worth watching

I have not read the manga or watched the series, so I came to this "Director's Cut" movie version with no preconceptions. I thought the story was excellent, the actors gave clear and relatable performances and the cinematography was also really good. A few comments:

-- The screenwriters succeeded beautifully in capturing "Life" in just 110 minutes. From the happy-go-lucky days of youth through tough decisions about career and family, to the enduring quality of love. The ending was as close to a happy ending as one can get, while still being realistic about the inevitability of mortality.

-- Beyond the basic plot elements there were some very important issues handled, and in a very good way. The issue of one partner forcing himself on the other was dealt with in a firm but sensitive manner, and -- even after the issue is resolved with a bit of humor (the electrocution line) -- the audience is left in no doubt about the importance of consent. The question of mixed marriages (with foreigners of different races) was confronted squarely and clearly. (I LOVED Hakira's line "Well now you can see that compared to a homosexual relationship, a mixed marriage isn't so bad!")

-- The cinematography was quite good throughout. Loved the image of the two boys on the line, approaching each other. And the sunrise scene on the beach was spectacular, both for the cinematography and the joyous acting. Never in my life before this have I gotten teary over a cigarette lighter.......

-- While Hakira's angst over his life choices was quite real to me, I thought there was a bit of unreality in the supportive reactions of all the family members -- his sister and father, and Yuki's mother. Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but I don't think they would be won over quite so easily. It was a nice warm touch, though, that Hakira was able to support his sister in her love, after she had supported him years ago over his attraction to Yuki.

-- I found it impossible to suspend my disbelief over the concept that, with no contact at all, Yuki and Hakira would find themselves in faraway Alaska in the same place at the same time, so they could reunite. Just a bit too much of a coincidence for me. Oh well, I just had to take it as a bit of fantasy storytelling.

But don't be dissuaded by my niggles. Altogether, this is a movie well worth watching.

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A slice of reality

One of the best BLs I've seen and I'm starting to prefer Japanese BL over all the others for their, in the main, slice of raw reality. Japanese BL, often dark and melancholic yet with optimistic passion, this production follows the usual format and brings home the message - be true to yourself and be happy. (Perhaps Akira's father wanted to do the same as Akira but never had the courage and was destined to remain in what might have been a sad, loveless marriage, his truth hidden and to be taken to his grave - total speculation here ...)

I just wish Yuki had had a haircut at least once during all those years!!

Highly recommended.

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Beautiful and Real

Before watching "Life: Love on the line," I had never watched any BL movies or Japanese BL shows, and I'm so glad this was my first one. I really love how this movie showed the progression of a relationship starting from teenagers in high school to adults. They showcased real characters with flaws and real struggles. The storyline was amazing and included everything necessary, and didn't include anything that didn't add to the story. The actors did a spectacular job, and I really felt their chemistry and emotions. Yuuki was my favorite character, and as funny as it may sound, I truly related to him the most. I loved how imaginative he was and his personality. I'm glad I watched the director's cut before the episode series because I enjoyed the added scenes at the end and seeing the acceptance and change of certain characters. I was so happy and satisfied with this movie and most definitely will rewatch it in the future. If you're debating about watching the series or the director's cut, I highly suggest the director's cut!

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Things that I really want to see in a movies or series are: looks, chemistry, acting, and storyline.

LOOKS: Akira (Shirasu Jin) is very handsome while Nishi Yuuki (Raiku) is cute.

CHEMISTRY: When it comes to chemistry they are cute to watch.

ACTING: Akira's acting here is good while Nishi's acting is very genuine.

STORYLINE: The storyline is quite extraordinary for me. I never thought that they will showcase what is the norms for normal people. I am also aware that the society has its standard norms and once you break it you will be an eyesore to everybody. That's why Akira here is trying to follow the norms and break the heart of Nishi. But in the end, because of love norms doesn't matter at all because your happiness cannot be stop by norms. These two lovers break down the norms and live their life to the fullest until their death. Good job.

# PrinceEldie's Review 2021

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This is a masterpiece

I watched the first movie released and it took me some time to try watching the director's cut. I am so glad I did!

The title is very fitting. It shows us how Akira and Yuki met, Akira's struggle to initiate sex (lol), adulting, heartbreak, and finding each other again.

Problem started when they were 25yrs old. It was painful and heartbreaking to watch those scenes. I felt bad for Yuki. Given his personality, it was difficult for him to move on and find someone who has the patience to understand his quirks and needs.

To make up for it, you will get pure bliss of their happy times together towards the end of the film. I swear this gave me tears of joy. I think this is the only time that a death scene didn't upset me.

This movie will teach you to not be stupid and let go your greatest love. Please don't waste 10 or so years. You will only be happy when you are true to yourself.

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True Love At It's Ugliest And Also Most Beautiful

I had watched the original version of this film wayyyy before watching this, so I basically had forgotten much of the plot. I remembered loving the idea of 2 lovers finding each other in a cute quirky way, which is walking on a streetline trying to avoid something "below" that they imagined. This is still such a unique, funny and adorable way of introducing our two main leads. It literally feels straight out of an anime/manga but adapted into real life which I loved. Though I wish they had visually represented their imagination during this sequences more, because the shark one was fantastic!

There's this real childlike innocence to Yuuki that attracts Akira from the start. Though this becomes a semi-issue later on, it carries on throughout the entirety of the story. Into their growth, sex-lives, careers. We see the story progression done so beautifully with the time jumps and it works really well! Better than I've probably seen done ever. We get so much of their lives, yet so little at the same time. It's perfection. You really grow attached to them together and individually. So when they start having their own issues, it really hurts. It's also now a fast growing apart, its rather slow and realistic. You understand why Akira kinda puts up with Yuuki's difficulties in the relationship and vice-versa because they both have so much love for each other. It's evident and people do things in their own ways to show love and affection. Like with Yuuki searching for the lighter in the dead of night.

Many watch this and become very angry or frustrated with Akira's character. But I totally understood where he was coming from at least. He grew up with a mother who engrained in his head the idea of "normalcy" or heteronormative lifestyle being the basis of livelihood. It's not easy to just unteach that, so he had to kinda live that in order to realize it wasn't what he wanted at all. He wanted Yuuki and luckily he was there waiting for him after the whole mess. It's ugly at times, but the beauty comes out as well. I loved getting to see everything and felt so proud of Akira after he stands up to his mother and fights for Yuuki. They get married, he sees his ex-wife with a new family so they both found happiness apart. It's all amazing. Then...we get to the added ending. Which WRECKED ME. It adds more to their love story and its good. However, the tears I had running down my face were so embarrassing lol. I wasn't expecting to see Akira dead in their 70s and Yuuki in the hospital waiting to die basically so they could be reunited again. Their love is forever and they walk the line again in the end to each other. Really heavy stuff and I suggest being prepared emotionally! Because damn its intense.

Love, love, loved this so much. Please watch it! Also thank you director for adding in the MODC (Make Our Days Count) cameo. That healed my soul from that series a little bit! <3

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When the creators can't treasure such beautiful story...

Story : Nobody can deny that their story is beautiful, from how they first meet to how their story ended, it's indeed beautiful, even those nightmare years of one's selfish mistake, we all want to see the ups and downs of a forever- lasting love...

Storytelling: Now this is the place where my nagging (!) begins. I suppose we only had one main lead (Akira) but it doesn't meam the other character (Yuki) had to be pictured so poorly and 2D, even those monologues of Yuki couldn't fill the big hole of his character's absence, which was damaging the movie.
It was not even consistent in its genre, it can't be a tear jerking melodrama for one half, then suddenly become the romcom where main leads meet again in another continent after 8 years of separation and reconcile with skipping the step of " what the f were they doing this 8 years" for the other half, right??
What a waste of story! Honestly, all the big damages were done by the script and it could be easily repaired if they could be a little less loyal to the original manga, I've read the manga and the movie has the same exact flaws of the manga ?
.
Directing was really mediocre (we expect this to be a MOVIE, right? we want the standard shots but its shots were of a tv drama) , acting was average...
.
Overall : wasted story, lacking script, not a standard quality production for a movie (but passable for a bl drama)
?Recommended if you're here for the fun but if you want something to blow your mind and make a tattoo in your heart, then it's not IT...

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I can agree that 10 minutes make a huge difference

First of all I want to thank MusicalVeggies for their review on MDL. It was this review which made me watch the show AND the movie, because the changes in the movie do indeed change the feeling I have about this story.

I had a lot of struggles with the show so it was nice to know what changed in the movie. But I don't like rewatches and thanks to the review I mentioned earlier I could just go to the parts that are different. And indeed, they changed my feelings!

I could understand Akira a bit better. And the ending is so much more satisfying and beautiful than in the show! I still struggle with understanding Yuki, because it never got explained why he's hesitating in the beginning with kisses and skinshipping etc. But I guess I just have to accept it as it is. ^^'

I would recommend to just watch the movie instead of the show. :)

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