100 Yen Love

From almost scrap wood to sunshine step by step, although the final result is still flat, but this is true, Loser's life has no climax. Unfortunately, I don't like this Japanese decadent style, the dull expression of the first hour, the deliberate dark scenes, the relationship between the deformed people and the characters, and even the large plot of the 100-yuan convenience store, I can't see the relationship with the main line.

This film is 40min too long, the relationships between the caracters are way to strange and creppy to get into it, it's hard to feel empathy.

This is a 2h scream against herself.

...well, 100 yen love is a very good movie. The pace is slow but is very important for the development of the story, so be patient and immerse in this simple images of a complicated life. Excellent work by the main character, Ichiko played by Ando. From start to finish she is the movie, all the other parts revolves around her. The other actors perform pretty well their respective characters, included the slum guy ( ) that barely appears. She s a 32 years old slacker that lives with her mother and recently with her sister and nephew and her not so useful father. Ichiko is the definition of apathy, lack of enthusiasm, laziness, disinterest, etc plus she does not help with their own store. Seems that she does not have ambitions and of course does not work or has a boyfriend.

The mother spoiled her too much until a big fight with the other daughter, after that Ichiko is invited to leave the house; however, the mother gives her some money to rent a place and to see if she can start a new life. Somehow she managed to get a job in the local store (Konbini) that s open 24 hours per day. Night shift so she can earn almost a minimum Japanese salary but working part time. She always passing by a box gym; flashing with another particular guy that practice there. All along the story you can see the transformation in body and mind of Ichiko, due to training hard and to have a pursuit in life; these things seem that s going away in new generations in many countries; in my opinion is the fault of the parents and the cooperative/protective governments (mostly in populist ones) Not so many dialogues in the movie and the few, are short and straightforward; most it said by the looks, intentions, actions, etc. -Now she lives in a rented apartment, has a job, a training schedule and fell in love with that other particular character. Lots for a gal that few weeks before only lived in a room playing video games and eating junk food. It s more like self esteem is to be found self dignity. But is not all beautiful and "Hollywoodesque", many problems along that she face up to but there s hope ahead; just like real life.

It's smart to drive type stories through unconventional characters. As it turns out, as long as it is done properly, traditional themes can be unconventional. The more intense the depression, the more transparent the catharsis, therefore, when Sakura Andô appeared on the screen, the film had already succeeded in half. However, I think that the ending part is a bit long, in addition it may be better if the ending is bolder.

At first I started to watch, I was expecting a movie which has some heroic chraracters. But seems like this one is not one of them... in a good way. I didn't watch much Japanese movie so i can't evaluate correctly maybe but in the movies I watch in general it has a unique place now. It was intense, has a humour in it and also this good feeling about trying. We saw our lead character as a person in real life. I think she is kinda shallow person-not just because of the dull expression :) - but it's not the issue because we can see deep levels of her as we need.

As I mentioned before about good feeling about trying, I didn't expect from her anything to be honest at first. And the way she took the control of her life was so inspiring while it is realistic, too. She is nothing like a heroine so as we are. I may be good or best in my field but in the end it is all about trying and knowing what you want. Because we could be a winner or loser however at one point we are gonna fail and it is okay. This isn't about winning, sometimes just life happens.