Love My Life

Love My Life (2006), directed by Koji Kawano, is a Japanese film about the love between two young lesbian women. Asami Imajuku plays Eri, a gamin-like university student who is in love with the more sophisticated and mature Ichiko (Rei Yoshii).

Naturally, the course of true love doesn't run true. The women have to deal with the sexism and homophobia of Japanese society. In addition, Ichiko is dependent on her father for the funds she needs to enter law school, and he is not charmed by Ichiko's lesbianism. Complications and crises prevent an easy, loving relationship to continue between the two women.

The movie has a charming sweetness about it, but not much in the way of substance. The characters are likable and attractive, and the love scene between them is delicate and romantic. However, I was hoping for something more substantial, and this was not the movie in which to find it.

The film will work well on DVD. We saw it in a theater as part of ImageOut--the Rochester NY Lesbian and Gay Film & Video Festival.