Several names for this film with one main theme so let’s simply stick with Bouquet in support of laziness. In hindsight of watching this film a bouquet represents whatever you want it to. The grouping of people that are set for different paths. The capture of moments amongst one another that despite becoming wilted , remains cherished as memories of once was. Lost strangers blossoming from and for the sake of one another. The beauty of growing together along with the ugly of aging apart.

Bouquet excels at.. well, presenting a bouquet. Memorable dialogue amongst the characters, stunning chemistry between the leads, heartbreaking performances where needed in its saddest moments. For every thousand films one can give me of romanticized plots can i spot out one that seperates itself with grounded realism throughout its ups and downs. Sakamoto clearly took the time and effort needed to execute these aspects with precise care and flawed perfection, makes sense? Eh you’ll get it.

Some things I particularly appreciated the most about this film. How natural the screenwriting feels along with the interactions. How evenly they balanced out the feelings and moves of both leads, the second you want to tell the ML to speak the hell up he chases after to reaffirm his interest, suggest major steps in a relationship that currently fits the convenience for the FL and beneficial to both, mindlessly runs out to support the FL in her toughest times, steps up to the plate of employment in order to provide for both of them to maintain the same happiness together as always. The second you may want the FL to grow an individual spine in the relationship she sets an official(first?) second date, expresses her dislikes and likes such as her mutual attraction to continue kissing as a “form of communication”, forewarns the ML not to let her parents business tracked mind discourage him in any sort before meeting them for the first time.

Arimura Kasumi delivers us Hachiya Kinu, a young woman that seeks enjoyment at whichever way it can be obtained, a bud that only wishes to blossom at her own consistent,free pace.
Suda masaki delivers us Yamane Mugi ,a young man that once seeked enjoyment the exact way Hachiya has. Over time he has began to let outside influences shape his motivations such as how his father envisioned him, Kinu’s parents words of advice on the responsibility of life, and the harsh reality of how the world can impact your ambition to seek a living off what you love to do. A bud that feels forced to blossom like those around him in order to survive and maintain stability.
The relationship was only bound to be torn apart over time when one is at a stand still while the other is constantly changing for what he sees will be best.

Raw portrayal of these characters in a rather mute surrounding allows even the most little moments like embracing toilet paper hit just as hard as the mutual falling out of one another. You find yourself helplessly smiling at their small grins, dazed by the sound of slippers slapping down a train station, tearing up at a stack of unfinished manga volumes, sitting up to meet their parents, feeling frantic when it’s dark out as they’re checking the time for the last train, emotionally drained as the leads are giving their all in their very last moments of happiness as a couple. A slight yet very constant annoyance to me was the style of narration(monologues), as it’s never quite been my forte , ofc that differs by viewer.

I highly recommend anybody to give this remarkable film a shot. An important showcase of how healthy and motivational partings can be. A rare tackle at a realistic yet magical development between two lost buds blossoming together. The beauty of the beginning of the end and the memories in between.