There isn't a frame of this movie that makes any sense. The entire set-up is insane.
We are asked to believe that a woman hires a private detective (Ryo Narita, who sleepwalks through the film with bangs in his eyes and/or a come-hither look) to spy on the infidelities of her husband, Tadayoshi Okura. The "twist" is that Ryo "fell in love" with Tadayoshi years ago, and now, if Tad wants to keep his infidelities secret from his wife (who, as we later learn, is also having an affair... so why does she care if Tad is unfaithful?), Tad will have to have sex with Ryo.
Under what circumstances would Tad agree to that? This premise is a jokefest at best. So, in addition to his other affairs with women, Tad is going to launch into a new affair with a man? To "save his marriage," which he clearly doesn't care about?
So, Tad and Ryo begin their romance. At first Tad is lifeless and lets Ryo do all the work. But then Tad warms up and seems to discover his "gay" side. But Ryo is apparently not only a "private investigator" (who spends the majority of the movie either smoking, cleaning house, walking around half-nude, chopping food or getting hysterical with anger or sadness), he is also a stalker. Tad can't stray for five seconds without Ryo staked out either in front of his apartment or near his work. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Tad's wife finally asks to separate, and soon Tad is living his "gay" life with Ryo. But because neither of them can really express themselves in real emotions, it has no impact.
There are two "hot" sex scenes where the actors kind of go for it. Of course, genitals are never shown, but backsides are okay. So, I guess they seemed to enjoy each other in bed. They also go down to the beach a few times and stare out at the water.
Tad can't seem to make up his mind if he's gay or not. At a certain point late in the film, he feels sorry for a young, pretty coworker (Shiori Yoshida) and offers her an engagement ring. Shiori is basically the only actor in this film that seems capable of expressing true emotions. And Tad takes cruel advantage of her, for what purpose, I don't know.
Then, after getting engaged, Tad decides that, nope, he's really gay, and rushes back to Ryo and asks him to live with him. Since Ryo's only purpose in life is to be with Tad, you'd think he'd jump on the idea. Nope. The next morning he's gone. Later, after Tad breaks if off with Shiori (as she sits in shock and amazement), Tad and Ryo end up back at the beach, where Ryo screams "I really loved you!" into the sky.) Later, Tad is alone in his apartment, polishing up Ryo's favorite ash tray and setting it out for display. He sits alone and reflects on his life. (Who cares?) Meanwhile, Ryo is "having sex" with some other man who appears at random throughout the movie when Ryo can't be with Tad. But because Ryo is still madly in love with Tad, he breaks down in tears and sobs.
None of this movie made any sense at all. The pacing was non-existent. The actors did what they were told to do, but, except for Shiori, all performances were surface level. Locations were minimal and we kept going back and forth between the same few apartments, which all looked the same. Tons of time was wasted setting up Tad in an office setting and making him look "important."
Although I can't say for sure that this was shot in Tokyo (and I live here, and I couldn't tell), it was definitely shot in one of Japan's major cities. And yet, there was not one single foreigner anywhere. On the streets, in a bar, in an office, in a restaurant. Not one. In all major cities in Japan, there are plenty of foreigners. This movie could've shown at least one in the background. But, nope; they don't exist.
This movie was made in 2020, but Ryo is smoking like it's 1976. It makes no sense. Also, the whole "am I gay or not" and playing this endless game of switching from straight to gay and back again was irritating, frustrating and disturbing.
All the leads in this movie are supposed to be late 20s or early 30s. No one seems to have any goals or dreams (except Shiori) other than having sex, smoking, drinking, going out to restaurants... I didn't get a sense that a single person in this movie (except Shiori) had a sense of the future or even cared about it for a nanosecond.
Ryo is cute with his come-hither stare, but because he's given so little to do except stalk, smoke and cry, it's really hard to care.
Not worth the time.
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