Hot Road (2014)

I don't know about you, but I'm weak when it comes to motorcycles + gangs. Proven once again.
I've been hesitating to watch this movie since I rarely enjoy romantic plots, because they're either shallow or overwhelmingly cliche /and/ unnecessarily dramatic; but I threw all my expectations aside (motorcycles!) and gave it a shot. I just had a good feeling about it and my instincts never betray me (totally not the motorcycles). Alright, I'm just joking.

You know when the movie has a good start you'll either be all optimistic and anticipate every minute of it or you'll be a pessimist and think how it'll go downhill midway through. Funny thing! nothing of such happened. Despite the beautiful filming (and let me point out how neat it was), the plot didn't gave much at first. I couldn't grasp its direction and I couldn't guess if I was happy about what I saw and if I was going to enjoy what was going to happen, but before I found my answers, it grew on me real quick and hit me like a splash of emotions. I do enjoy the movies you can easily relate to.

But this movie stands out not only for the romance, don't be fooled; it manages to mix (beautifully) loneliness, suffering, fear and eventually love, all together in a heavy pack of a simple, yet well-structured plot. The drama effect is strong and it balaces well through the characters, nothing silly in here. The main characters aren't something new, but relatable and true. Their encounter and their relationship is well acted and very realistic. The actors managed to show a mature performance, which is really important for this kind of plot and for the overall atmosphere. But give me a second here, alright — who's this Tosaka Hiroomi and why isn't he in the industry already? He shows real potential and I wish to see him more in the future.

To sum it up, gangs? Check. Motorcycles? Check. (now that's shoujo-ish). But realistic romance? Check. (not so shoujo-ish anymore). Sounds good, right? If it sounds good for you, you should totally watch it.

Leia Mais

Coming upon this film, I wasn't aware of the romantic plot line or the fact that it was based off a shojou manga until afterwards. I just kinda' sat down at my cousin's apartment and we initially watched it to kill time and boredom, but oh boy, we had no idea what we were in for: some really good stuff.

The film highly caught my interest within the first few minutes, it's got a great, unique pitch. The romantic relationship shown between the main characters was sufficient and so...realistic. This is why I was so shocked when I found out it was based off a shoujou manga - it wasn't cliche' and sappy like most shoujous. This film is an intense coming of age story that depicts more than just love and chemistry - it's about life, which is something very real; and the plot/acting stays true to that intention thoroughly.

I was very surprised with such a difference in Nounen Rena's character, it was very pleasant to see her act as a serious role, instead of her usual comedic-ditzy roles. And she held this new kind of character up to its fullest, she's good! Real good! I mean it, literally. I'm not that into the EXILE TRIBE but it was interesting to see one of the tribe, Hiroomi Tosaka act and not sing. Fun fact: he's hella' talented at both of those things. He did great and I'm kind of shocked that this role was his first acting job - I couldn't tell.

The overall art of the film was warm and touching; the music, development, transitions, and pacing was wonderfully placed.

My only warning is that you shouldn't watch this movie for the kissy-lovey dovey-doki doki attributes that most live action shoujou movies have. Like I said earlier, the film displays much more than their relationship. If you're into realistic-romantic movies, you'll enjoy this a lot.

Leia Mais

My favorite part of the day is that time before sunrise those bluish yet dark gives me this feeling of emptiness my mind is more relax during that time. This movie captures that moment perfectly the reason why this movies visuals is its strongest selling point for me.

Based on a shoujo manga most people will watch this just for that romantic part( you know those ppl who rate the movie based on how great the kiss was. But there are those who will see this being a coming of age film, they will rate this based on the human inter actions and how the setting affect the growth of character. Which one are you?

Basically the story was like a innocent pure girl who has this mommy issues didnt feel like she has this place where can say she belong there. So what will happen after that is it for you to see the movie. To me I understand the struggle of that main character so I'm surprised to learn that it was based on a manga.

Is this film boring.

Maybe. if you are into this just for the romantic part.

Spoilwrss
They did now show the kiss scene between characters...possible reason they want to protect rena nounen's image




Acting. I surprised that it is good actually based on a shojo manga didn't expect it to be this good.

I still haven't watched amachan so its my first time seeing Rena nounen I'm also sure that her character here is different cause there is no way amachan is this gloomy on how people describe the drama. Do you have a classmate in elementary that you always wants to tease cause she is too damn funny cute when she is angry? Rena nounen resembles that face.

The lead actor I don't know who the hell was that did a good job too. He played that tough yet caring character well.

Its not your typical movie based on a shoujo manga so I understand if most people won't like this one. It appears they decide to make the film looks artsy IMO with those visuals and music and also those silent moments. Maybe they want to put it on festivals.

Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/

Leia Mais

A good story, but lacked some intensity when it came to the romance. Though, there was a strong base on which a great love story could have been bloomed, however, the romance was bit weak. That was, probably, because the film makers focused more on the girl's bad family background and on the tragedy part of the movie, as well as the gang dynamics, the girl's drama towards her mother and the ones around her, and the pattern boy gets beaten-runs to the girl-girl takes care of him. Or, maybe the couple didn't have the chemistry that the love story needed. But, other than that, it wasn't that bad of a movie. It had some interesting parts, and the love story was okay overall. So, 5 out of 10.

Leia Mais

This movie is intense. Like, seriously, INTENSE. If you don't like any of the following, turn back now:
- motorcycles and the people (hot boys) that ride them
- gang activity
- potential emotional scarring for life (both the characters and the viewer)
- traumatic and turbulent relationships
- crying (again, both the characters and the viewer...mostly the viewer)

Basically I remember coming across this movie by accident a while ago and I thought it looked interesting (I'm a sucker for just about any type of romantic story...tragic or not), so I sat down to watch it, not realizing the emotional rollercoaster ride that I was in for. Don't get me wrong, this movie is fantastic in many ways: the acting, the writing, the cinematography...oh, god, the cinematography. I just didn't fully understand how INTENSE this movie is. If you are not prepared to feel like your heart has been fed through a wood chipper, don't watch this movie. But if you have a warehouse full of boxes of tissues, a stern constitution, and a truckload of emotional superglue to put yourself back together with at the end, by all means, enjoy.

(Nah, for reals, this movie is great and I highly recommend it. But, uh, if you do watch it and you decide to never watch it again...I get you. This isn't a movie that's easy to rewatch, hence the low score for rewatch value. Then again, if you like it enough to rewatch it, great. Just don't invite me over to your house for movie night, OK? OK.)

Leia Mais

So first of all: This is one of my favourite movies!
The story, the cast, the chemistry between the characters, just everything!

The story all in all was good to follow. It was not too much.
The chemistry between the main characters was the best in the movie. It was just great to watch them together. I especially liked the kind of Tsundere type acting of Haruyama towards Kazuki and how she acted towards him.
The "fights" between different motorcycle gangs weren't shown much, even if i thought it would be an important point for the story.
Some things suddenly happen to keep the story interesting and eventhough i didn't expect it would end like that, you can look forward on seeing it!

Like i already said, the actors did a great job in enterpreting their characters to the fullest, eventhough it was sadly just a movie, so short :(
I can't add more, it was just nice!

The music just did it part to help building an atmosphere. It wasn't too much music, so on some points you can just focus on the dialogs or monologs of the characters.

I really recommend this movie to everyone! I watched it about three times now and i still enjoy it!

Leia Mais

I discovered the movie by accident and then i read the story and I found it intriguing enough to watch the trailer. It seemed different from the Japanese movies I have been used to watching. It seemed darker in terms of photography, in terms of the story line, in terms of vibe, a lot darker and I'm not a fan of dark movies, on the contrary. I tend to evade them as much as possible, however this one seemed good enough for me to try and watch it.

The story per say was too bland and blase on my opinion. Nothing unusual or different or even unique but visually it captured the mood of the story, it reflected the script and added layers of atmosphere to the performances which were what stood out to me. Hiroomi Tosaka as Hiroshi Haruyama was truly powerful. He owned the screen every time he was on and he made the character one that could be related to, one that could be understood in the actions taken independently on whether or not the audience agreed with the character's choices. Rena Nounen's performance I found rather bland. Perhaps it was because her character Kazuki Miyaichi seemed rather bland and didn't leave any scope of manoeuvre in terms of how it could be performed, perhaps it's the actress who is like that, with limited facial expressions, perhaps it was how the character was written or the actress interpretation of the character. I do not know but I didn't particularly like her as I found her too weak and spineless for nearly 100% of the movie.

The end well....I enjoyed it. I thought Kazuki Miyaichi character to be more human and adult rather than the spineless teenager I considered her to be so to me, the end was satisfying. Hiroshi Haruyama was good and that was good for me! Overall I liked the movie!

Leia Mais

I was skeptical about watching this because of the ages of the leads, but it was perfectly okay in how their relationship was. They both needed someone and they became irreplaceable existences to each other. The actors showed the character's love so well that I could feel exactly what they were feeling. The actors are worthy of awards, they were so good. The story was realistic and deep, diving into people who grow up in the tough world. The youth of the characters allow them to make mistakes and grow, but they stayed true to who they were in the beginning. This is now my favorite movie, the best I've ever seen. I never feel this much for a drama, but it was portrayed so well that it was undeniably perfect. Please watch this.

Leia Mais

The overall story and concept was really good in the sense that it wasn't something you usually see. I really liked the concept of motorcycle gangs and the "outlaw" lifestyle. My only problem with the story was the abruptness. There were times when I wished the transition from scene to scene was smoother, and that the story's progression itself was clearer. Other than that, the story was interesting(but not life changing).

The cast did a really good job with the characters. They were able to show the turmoil of their characters in a very "real way."

Perhaps the best part of the movie was how relatable it was. There was no "craziness" in their love(at least not in the Manga way). It was a very realistic depiction of how people fall in love: you don't really know when it happens, and when it does you can't imagine life without it.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone, but don't expect to be absolutely wowed by it.

Leia Mais

"Hey!
Don't become a girl who can't do anything without me.
Become a girl who can throw me away at any time.
Become a girl who'll make me want to chase after her." - Hiroshi Haruyama

It's been a long time since a film can make me feel doki doki like this, it just when Kazuki & Eri chased by some high schooler boy, then Kazuki hide in a cabinet, before Haruyama finally found him and grabbed Kazuki's hand while looking at her, at that moment, it was really hit me, there's love love around me, so doki doki and I started to enjoy the film and believe Kazuki & Haruyama would be a great couple.

I think the most important character in this film is Kazuki, then Haruyama. The backgrounds of the two are indeed not explored in a balanced way but the point is that both of them have gone through through a lot, and for Kazuki it seemed reasonable, with her life with her mother like that, at her age it must have made her feel confused, stressed and under great mental pressure. Glad that Kazuki met with Eri then introduce to Haruyama that will become the most important person for her and she cared the most, it's the same the other way around, because they've been through pretty much the same thing through their life and end up feel the same way with life. Finding the right person can change your life for the better, make you appreciate life more and fight for it.

Everything that I felt while watching this film I would not have gotten if the people involved in this film didn't work well, so I think they did a good job.
From the actors, Rena Nonen as Kazuki & Hiroomi Tosaka as Haruyama, did a great job in acting, very good at conveying emotions and their chemistry is well established, they feel like people who really love each other. The other actors also did their portion well; and Yuki Yamada, he seems everywhere, as a guy who have been a fan of Nogizaka46, wouldn't ever forget this guy who kiss Saito Asuka, but it always surprise when I don't intend to watch him but he unexpectedly appear in the movie I try to watch, at least he's acting pretty good, and glad that he's become a big actor years after this film.

For another aspect, maybe I will unite it under a name, namely "Takahiro Miki", after watching this film I am even more sure to fall in love with him; From my experience watching Tomorrow I Will Date With Yesterday's You & My Teacher, I like so many aspects of those films that I found in this film, such as the moody vibe with warm color tones that create such cozy atmosphere that makes me feels good to shed some tears; then there's the cinematography, he's film in my opinion always well shot, it's beautiful and . . . . . . that's it I think or probably also add some emotion to the film.

I think that's all, i root for Kazuki & Haruyama, such a great couple, who give each other comfort in this tough life, provide a reason worth fighting for to stay alive.

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"I've done a lot of bad shit but she doesn't know any of that.
Up until now, I really didn't care about what I do with a chick.
I thought there wasn't much I could do if I made one cry.
That's why I thought at first the hell with Kazuki.
Why is she acting like a dude, but she kinda reminded me of myself and thought why not?
In the beginning, I was just gonna fuck her and have some fun like I always did, but I don't know . . . I can't lay a hand on her.
It's probably because she's really pure inside and yet she's strong, she's complete different from me but either way, she stil sees me as something she cared for.
If I suddenly die, makes me wonder what will happen to her. Makes me feel sorry for her.
If ever I suddenly die, wouldn't you feel sorry for her?
I might end up changing myself for this one girl." - Hiroshi Haruyama

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