Love it! Many viewers seem infatuated by the passionate love scenes, even though there is no explicit nudity or graphic sex. Two women, Sam and Mon, fall in love, unexpectedly, against all odds. Then they have the complicated task of making it work, in spite of the baffled disapproval of others and their own occasional emotional clumsiness. An authoritarian Grandmother, a clueless but well-intentioned male suitor, nosey coworkers, Sam's admitted fear, Mon's feeling she is not good enough for Sam.. so many obstacles! But their love for each other is strong enough to keep them going and hoping. Most viewers, including me, care about the characters right away. Spoilers indicate that in spite of the obstacles thrown at them, there will be a VERY happy ending.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Compassionate, respectful, very well-acted
27 December 2022
This is an excellent film. As one reviewer said, "It asks all the right questions." I would add, it asks them with compassion and respect.
The impressive cast includes Ryoko Shinohara ("Fishbowl Wives") and Hidetoshi Nishijima ("Drive My Car") They play parents, who call off their plans to separate after their young daughter suffers a drowning accident that leaves her brain dead. The father works for a biomedical firm, and his projects include electrical stimulation of limbs to give control to disabled patients.
But with brain death, are they maintaining life or creating a macabre puppet? The father reluctantly wants to pull the plug, but the mother cannot accept that her child is gone. Making the moral issue more murky, the daughter of an old friend needs a heart transplant soon, and will die without it.
Both parents are portrayed with authenticity and sympathy. The ending does not pretend to have solved all the issues, but does offer hope to continue with life in spite of tragedy.
The impressive cast includes Ryoko Shinohara ("Fishbowl Wives") and Hidetoshi Nishijima ("Drive My Car") They play parents, who call off their plans to separate after their young daughter suffers a drowning accident that leaves her brain dead. The father works for a biomedical firm, and his projects include electrical stimulation of limbs to give control to disabled patients.
But with brain death, are they maintaining life or creating a macabre puppet? The father reluctantly wants to pull the plug, but the mother cannot accept that her child is gone. Making the moral issue more murky, the daughter of an old friend needs a heart transplant soon, and will die without it.
Both parents are portrayed with authenticity and sympathy. The ending does not pretend to have solved all the issues, but does offer hope to continue with life in spite of tragedy.
Romance Doll
(2020)
Do not overlook Toko Miura's minor role.
22 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Rather than repeat what has been said in other reviews, I want to point out the Toko Miura (Drive My Car) has a small, but important role. Tetsuo is lonely, not looking for an affair when he casually meets Hiroko (Toko Miura,) who drinks too much and becomes too frustrated with arcade games. Her emotional life seems a mess, and Tetsuo empathizes. After a few drinks and some Karaoke, he spends the night with Hirako. When they say goodbye, it is obvious and touching how lonely Hirako is. Sonoko later says loneliness is what drove her to infidelity -only once (one suspects alcohol also played a role.) But even when Tetsuo admits that he has cheated -only once - he does not confess to his own loneliness. Hirako, then, is like a kindred spirit and emblem to their loneliness, but has no one to return to and sort it out. In the hands of a lesser actor, Hirako may have been forgettable. But Toko Miura brings a well-crafted naturalness and humanity to her role, just as she did in Drive My Car. I wish we could have finally heard HER story, in this film too. In a few short scenes, she makes you care about her. Loneliness and reticence can erode love and destroy lives. That is something Hirako, Tetsuo, and Sonoko have in common.
Fishbowl Wives
(2022– )
Compassionate storytelling
19 September 2022
Found this short series by accident on Netflix. The ending left me heartbroken, but with hope. Subtle, compassionate shades, emotionally and morally, a moving story tapestry, well-told. The title arises from a metaphor: goldfish can only grow as much as the fishbowl allows, and if you do not care enough to refresh the water daily, they will begin to sicken and die. Hence, "goldfish wives." But the narratives extend compassion to the stumbling husbands as well. Like Madame Bovary, these characters simply refuse to live without love and happiness. Sometimes, they create an even bigger mess, but sometimes they "jump out of the bowl" and continue to swim.
My Husband Won't Fit
(2019– )
Bottom Line, We Cared About the Characters
9 September 2020
Rather than quarrel about the medical issues, cultural issues, and easy pace, I will just cut to the chase - we cared about the characters. Their hearts and hopes are subtly painted, with tender humor and quiet pain, and in the end, their love for each other is more important than anything else.
Tell Your Friends