Change Your Image
joellehawes
Reviews
Gekijou-ban utsukushii kare~eternal~ (2023)
The most beautiful series with an exquisite conclusion.
So the only reason I'd rate this slightly lower than it's 10* comrades for S1 and 2 is because of the slightly ridiculous storyline diversion midway through, which diverts from the realistic issues faced in most other places in the series. It brought me out of the magic for a few mintues, and there was slightly prolongued slow-mo scenes at the end.
Getting out the way the explanation for that 1 star dropping, I can honestly say this series has captured my heart, kissed it, and held onto it preciously throughout these 3 installments, in a way I find it hard to describe with words.
My Beautiful Man or Utsukushii Kare completely took me by surprise when I first watched it, and I fell hard for this show, the cinematography and artistic choices, especially their PERFORMANCES, and this conclusion absolutely did them justice. Seeing Kiyoi grow was always a pleasure, but seeing Hira grow here also made me feel very happy. I have heard S1 was the first performance of Kiyoi's actor (Yusei Yagi) which is just unbelievable?! He did an incredible performance, and the storytelling he does with simply his eyes blows me away. The emotion and vulnerability he consistently delivers - so private and kept away from Kiyoi's normal cool persona - makes my heart completely swell. HIra's actor too (Hagiwara Riku) was really great - and I adored the fact that his character has a stutter and is most probably on the autism spectrum. It is such a subtle series, mostly quiet, mostly told via their narrations (especially at first), which I find so rare especially in love stories, and it makes the speech that much more impactful when it is used.
I'd describe this series (and I see them as a package deal, s1, s2 and this movie) as achingly beautiful. Very unique, very special, very beatiful.
Thank you to all involved for bringing this story to light, I'm grateful and wholeheartedly inspired by so many aspects of it!
Arigatou, thank you.
Utsukushii kare (2021)
Love or hate it. I adored it
As in many Japanese storytelling, this felt real, with many many layers and subtleties. In my experience Japan is never afraid to go outside the box with flawed characters and dark tropes, or tell a story others might not be brave enough to.
The acting is superb, and the character complexities are subtle. I can see why the boldness of narration in this story might trigger people to be mad and leave a lower rating, but sticking with this show to the end, looking behind a character's exterior to the emotions lying underneath each interaction, will bring all its light and beauty to the forefront. As I read recently, you'd rather a piece of art provoke 1* and 10*s than all 5*s.
As with reality, people are flawed. There are misunderstandings, nerves and social pressure getting in the way of honest communication, weird and creepy sides to us we rather others not see, insecurities and a lack of awareness of our own shortcomings. If you want an escape from reality with fluffy characters and story, this isn't it. Personally I find happy stories off-putting unless there's a journey to get there. These are people you might be able to relate to that we can empathize with. Lighting, scenery, and settings all play a part in feeling enclosed within their story and evoking our senses. The subtleties behind the conversations, but also the tones of voice, the expressions - they stick with you to the point where I think rewatching you would pick up on so much more.
There's probably more I could say, but I hope you give it a go. It deserves the spotlight. I'm a sucker for subtle art, one that doesn't feel pressured to scream to the masses, one where the characters are followed through properly. 10/10, go watch it 💛
Looking forward to the movie.