A great film but...

I'll first get all the technical thoughts aside before I delve into some of the more vague and story-like issues that I have with this movie.

Overall, I adore the Pornographer (or "The Novelist") series. I fell in love so hard with the TV series and, to this day, I rewatch it again and again. It is a masterpiece, and truly a cut above all other BL series, and movies, that I've seen. Given that, I can wholeheartedly say I loved this movie! It was so great to finally be able to watch it. On a technical scale, it's beautifully shot and directed. The music is suburb and it features the very memorable score from the series,. It never falls into traps of awkward background music or forcing themes or feelings down an audiences throat through very explicit scores. I don't even think anything needs to be said about the acting! It felt real and raw, and the actors really spared no expense when it came to drilling down deep into their emotions. Not to mention, the more explicit scenes weren't overdone or panned away from. They were well timed, well shot, and they felt really appropriate to the characters and the story.

Those things aside: the story for this movie is where I have a couple of issues. I'll preface it by saying that I've read the manga, so I was aware of where the story was headed after the series ended and after watching Spring Life. Even then, I think the movie suffered from struggles typical to sequels....where, I just don't know why this movie had to happen the way it did. Or really, why it was necessary. As a fan, sure. I can always watch more of Kijima and Kuzumi, and Kido and all of them. They are great, and complex, characters. But...the way the series ended off was vauge in a good way. It set up Kijima on this path for self-reflection and a lot of inner character work. He had to face his insecurities, find his purpose in life, and wrestle with quite a large amount of trauma and inner demonds. Things could have remained the way they were, and the implication that Kijima went off on a journey of self discovery, and Kuzumi moved on with his life in some way or another (I dunno...in some aspect that grew him into more than Kijimia's stan).
I know the film is an adaptation, so it is limited to the source materal. Even in saying that, this film really didn't seem to do a whole lot. Things end in the film almost similar to how they start. Kijima's own growth is minimal to none, and Kuzumi is an accessory who doesn't seem to learn or grow much at all. He starts, and ends, completely whipped for a manipulative and insecure man. I suppose what bothers me most is the lack of believability in how they move past these issues both as individuals, and as a "couple". Kijima can do the bare minimum and be rewarded and forgiven, whilst Kuzumi can go above and beyond and remain quite unnoticed. It might be that chemistry, or dynamic, that made this film much harder to watch than the series. At least within the series, the dynamic between the two of them (although quite problematic and rife with the same manipulation as in this film) can be somewhat justified by the falling-in-love stages, and the subsequent vague "they met and now they will move on to better their lives" sort of ending. In the film, they are labelled as not quite seeing each other (because even at the end you have characters asking 'are you officially seeing each other?') whilst still being beholden to the same standards of a relationship - or at least, Kuzumi is. As a result, Kijima's own personal growth is awkwardly tied to Kuzumi somehow, or at least, he keeps showing up in it when really...you could cut him out and somehow, Kijima's trajectory could still be the same.
That might be the crux of my disatisfaction when it comes to this movie. Really, it was a struggle for the reason that the film couldn't justify why the two of them should be together. Kijima, after 2 and a half years (or so) had not changed in any way as a person, and the only thing that inspired some semblence of change was Kuzumi deciding to "leave" (if you can even call it that) him. Kijima barely explains himself or aims to rectify his actions (beyond an "i'm sorry") and Kuzumi, somehow, goes along with it. All I could think was, "It'd be so much better if they simply parted ways." By the end of the film, it felt like I was watching a lesser and less interesting version of the series. As though the strong story dynamics and big emotional features that made it compelling were severely watered down and muddled in the film. Another odd point was after Kijima's insane, massive, betrayal - the moment seems to fade so quickly? Or it loses it's impact. Such a momentous point in the story is never referenced directly after the scene ends, and instead, we're caught up in the story of Haruka and her son.
That brings me to the point of Haruka and her story. They are lovely characters, don't get me wrong! I think the actress who played Haruka is fantastic, and I could watch her all day long. But, I was constantly wondering why I was watching them. Shizuo was there to make Kuzumi jealous and Haruka...was just...there to get sick? And maybe drop a wisom bomb? They had such potential, but their story was so out of place and Kijima's sudden affection for the family felt the same. During most of their scenes, I couldn't really get behind any of their interactions or care much about them at all. Their purpose felt far too 2 dimensional, and it ended up taking away from the story of the film as a whole.

Overall, the film had a lot of potential. The story was rich in a lot of interesting themes that could've been explored in a much more griping way if there hadn't been 1 dimensional side characters, and restrictive love-tropes in the story telling. I wanted to root for Kuzumi and Kijima just as I did in the series, and get excited for their journey together. But, by the end of the film all I could feel was unsettled and unsure. The film tries hard to convince you that they are supposed to be together, but I couldn't quite see it. There were huge gaps in Kijima's character that needed proper time and space to address well (the issues with his family, his feeling out of place, his lack of purpose, his insecurity etc). The series set up that journey, and the film failed to deliver. Instead, there are bland side stories and underused side characters. In doing so, the film also sidelines the other "main" character - Kuzumi - into someone that is just an accessory. I suppose, one thought against that might be that this film takes place from Kijima's point of view, so Kuzumi's own character development doesn't really need to feature that much. I suppose...I can understand that, however, that still doesn't justify why Kijima is so lacking of personal substance, and why he and Kuzumi should end up together. I really wanted to love it as much as the series, and it is disappointing how much I felt the film was lacking...there was so much potential but...ah well.

It does still rate quite highly because, these issues aside, it is a good piece of work. However, I can't see myself rewatching it or fawning over it the same way I do with the series.

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Biting off more than you can chew...

I really hoped this series was going to turn out good because the storyline (at least as it's summarised) is really interesting and unique for a queer series. Sadly, it didn't really hit the mark in the actual show.

The storyline was the biggest issue with me for this series: there is A LOT of ground to cover with the childhood trauma aspect, the split personalities, the romance arc, the self and family acceptance AND (to add even more to this) a secondary couple too (with their own host of issues!)! In 4, 20 (ish) minute episodes, a lot of these themes and issues get glossed over really easily or explained away in short insufficient scenes. As a viewer, I wish they had simplified a little bit just to give the series more room to breath (story telling wise). Each episode had such a jarring pace and feeling that the experience changed from watching nothing happen for 20 minutes, to watching 3 flashbacks, 2 big climactic moments and then a flashforward all in the span of 10 minutes. The overall incoherent pacing and story just made it hard to appreciate anything else about the series; I always felt I was watching the 'middle' of some longer show and I was just getting little cuts and bits and pieces. The main themes the show wanted to deliver on are so big and bulky that it needs time and attention to deliver and flesh them out well: it's one of those things where it if it's going to be done, do it well...or not at all. Otherwise, it just leaves a lot of confusion and ambiguous storytelling.

I guess that's where it being a "short" series is both helpful and hurtful: it's good it's only 4 short episodes because, at least, you aren't losing a huge chunk of time should you choose to watch it. But also, the 4 short episodes means a lot gets lost and poorly executed - leaving a very unsatisfying feeling at the end of it.

Another big nitpick was the introduction of the secondary couple (at the VERY end). I can't quite see why they were introduced only to have a few scenes and an extremely ambiguous ending. They seemed to serve very little purpose in the main themes of trauma/mental health that the series has, so, all they seemed to do was take away screen and storytime for no real reason. Not to say I didn't find them interesting: I still want to know what exactly went down between them! But the series is just too short to offer any kind of answer.

I do have to give some love to the overall 'look' of the series though! Despite some weird shaky-cam moments, the series is really beautifully staged and shot. I loved the apartments and the night-street shots, and all those beautiful scenes with the early morning light pouring out over the main couple. The camera work was well done for such a small production and it did an excellent job at complimenting and accentuating the chemistry between the two mains (which is another HUGE plus for this series!). The leads had such great chemistry together during the tender and romantic moments that it really saved a lot of this series in my eyes. The affection felt so wholesome and real that I couldn't help rooting for them! It never felt awkward or forced and even the dialogue was delivered so well that, when the moments were sweet, it was hard to not feel heartwarmed by them. If there's anything at all I'd reward this for, it'd be for the main actors.

Oh, and, the music was pretty fine too. Nothing too special or horrendous. Honestly, I didn't really notice it. The only obvious track is the ending theme which has a really...interesting sound? But, I skipped it as soon as it starts so I can't say too much about it.

Overall though, it can't hurt to check it out if you're interested but...I'd go in with low expectations. It's a pretty average title that, if you don't end up watching it, you won't miss out on much.

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This film had a lot of potential but fell flat in execution...

I'll preface this review with saying I watched the BLANC version of this film which, to my understanding, is the same as the NOIR version with the exception of the last 10-15 minutes or so. If that's the case, I think there wouldn't be much that would change my view since the bulk of the films are the same.

So, story wise: I did rate it quite highly in that simply because the story had a lot going for it. There's a lot of very interesting issues that we see through Yuki's experience and this is where the main issue of this movie comes from for me. The depth that the story explores with the prositution and host scene could've been so great to expand upon and explore the toll it takes on those within such an environment...instead, there is a strange (almost comic or blasé) tone over the whole film that makes these things seem either benign or comical in some areas. That alone makes watching the movie just....confusing. As a viewer, I just wasn't sure how I was supposed to be feeling. So much happens to Yuki, but there's almost no time in the movie to experience him feeling it, or for the viewer themselves, to emotionally register these events. There is some really shocking events that come up and the movie takes such a non-challant tone shift each time they happen that is so infuriating. As a result, the sexual experiences Yuki engages in are just non-events as far as the movie goes. There's no feeling that he's changing as a person because of it, or going through anything at all...skipping those scenes changes the film in no real way.
I'll say this though: I have no issue with sex scenes at all, in fact with a plot like this, I'd expect them. But, I'd expect them to play some role...to be meaningful in some way. Rather, besides one particular shocking event, they just weren't. Now, if we're doing sex scenes just for the fanservice or what have you: that's where the tone of the movie gets in the way again. The scenes themselves came across in such a boring way that even trying to enjoy them for what they were was impossible.

The whole concept of Aoyama also came across as really unecessary to me. Given the meaty-ness that the setting of host clubs and male prositution bars already gives the plot, I don't know why they needed to shift the story to this chemistry-less and quite forced feeling relationship arc. I almost feel the story would've been improved by removing Aoyama entirely and instead watching Yuki navigate this tragic downward spiral he finds himself on....or, if a singular romance interest was really needed, the other key male characters he interacts with (like Ryoma the host club owner and so on) could've played as more interesting characters to build tension off of.

As far as the acting goes: it was good, I suppose. The main leads were pretty forgettable and the only scenes I do remember came from actions done by the supporting cast - which, I'll say, I had more fun watching than the main leads. In saying that, no one was bad either. The chemistry was pretty non existent between the leads, but I want to attribute that to more writing than an acting issue. Of course, I have to mention the cast did a solid effort with the sex scenes too. I can't imagine it's easy and most BL doesn't give the prologned and more 'in depth' scenes that this movie offers. So...there's that.

Music: Very passable and totally forgettable (and ultimately not necessary to even consider). On a partially petty note, I'll say they overdid it on the classical music scores. I know it's all supposed to be fancy underground clubs and such, but they could've toned it down on the same classical songs playing just about everywhere.

So, overall: there was a great deal of potential that this movie had, but it fell very flat in execution. I think it may have been due to having too much going on and therefore the execution becomes and messy and confused. It would've suited having just one direction chosen and really focusing in on that: either, the student/teacher relationship occuring years after a big life ruining betrayal, or navigating the host scene OR male prostitution. The movie overall could've really used a more focused tone as well: either it's going to be slightly comical or make it dark but whatever it is - pick it and stick to it. The wishywashy nature of the movie really tanks its rewatchability. I'll also add that I'm not sure if this is adapted from a manga...if so, then I guess there is a lot story/direction wise that might be hard to change due to the source material. Even then, i think the tone issue is more a reflection of directorial issues than any manga influence. I did really want to like this movie...it's a real shame.

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Look, I know there's slim picking as it is around good LGBT titles, but even from a stand point of desperation - this was so hard to watch through.

On a story front: ok, it was fairly basic and, I suppose, it worked for the most part - but really, after the first 4 episodes, it just gets completely lost and any remnants of character tropes and story arcs that make sense are entirely thrown out the window. The characters are terribly developed and executed just as badly. There are a few over the top "cringe" moments that make you wish you could like them, but it often comes in poorly timed and leaves you (and probably the actors too) just feeling awkward. The music didn't help much either - with not much room in the story itself to pick up on any character emotions or implied themes - the music swarms in constantly to make you know EXACTLY what mood is happening when. I found myself skipping through lots of moments that were done to the tune of cheesy 'idle' music or 'this is a romance' scene music. Really, I'm not so sure if this is adapted from a comic, because it really does come off with that kind of feel: especially since the main romantic tension of the primary couple is derived from 'well, he kidnapped me, rough handled me and assaulted me while drunk - so I must be in love with him!". Most of the dynamics between the couples is either weirdly problematic or just conjured from thin air.... so, it's hard to really ship any of them in the end.

Overall, really hard to like and definitely a title that I wouldn't revisit. I suppose some of the good points of it where that it was shot fairly well (the lighting was good, shots made sense apart from the 'I must monologue to your back' trope and everyone living in the same house , and, the actors did come across as genuinely trying to do a good job (which is really what made me stick through all the episodes)) and it wrapped all the nonsensical tangents with a neat scene at the end (which is always appreciated). I'd recommend this only if you have literally nothing else to do with your time.

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