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★★★★☆
3 January 2019
A movie review of ASAKO I & II. |
"This curry tastes good today," Ryôhei (Masahiro Higashide)
"It's ratatouille though," Asako (Erika Karata)
Asako is drawn to a stranger, Baku (Masahiro Higashide), while out. She follows him. Rare in film: The female gaze. They are immediately drawn to each other. They ask each other's names and then kiss. Opposites, he impulsive and she mousy, but there is passion. After a motorbike crash, them laying on the tarmac, again they snog. Courtship is speedy and movie-like. Though, don't worry, ASAKO I & II does not fall into hackneyed formula. Asako's romantic journey is gripping.
"It's ratatouille though," Asako (Erika Karata)
Asako is drawn to a stranger, Baku (Masahiro Higashide), while out. She follows him. Rare in film: The female gaze. They are immediately drawn to each other. They ask each other's names and then kiss. Opposites, he impulsive and she mousy, but there is passion. After a motorbike crash, them laying on the tarmac, again they snog. Courtship is speedy and movie-like. Though, don't worry, ASAKO I & II does not fall into hackneyed formula. Asako's romantic journey is gripping.
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Pal to Asako, Haruyo (Sairi Itô), warns that Baku is bad news. Is this protectiveness or jealousy (or both)? The motivations of the characters are not always clear, reflecting everyday existence. Hindsight can be continually utilised to deconstruct our actions and words.
Baku's selfish impetuousness causes him to suddenly disappear. Ghosting is cold. He did cryptically say if he left he would always return to Asako. Like a metaphorical loaded gun, we suspect his return will cause maximum problems. Mention of a critically ill father perhaps gives us an insight into Baku's aversion to commitment, but there is not enough to go on. His mystery is purposefully maintained. Baku represents the one that got away.
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Jumping two years, Asako has moved from Osaka to Tokyo. There she meets a doppelgänger for ex-beau, Ryôhei (played by the same actor with a different haircut). In less skilled filmmaking hands, the movie would've been over at this juncture. However, Asako's relationship twists and turns remain compelling.
ASAKO I & II is quality melodrama. Idiosyncratic character beats are unexpected and welcome, including honesty, "Even at a time like this, I can only care about myself," states Asako. Supporting friends are not cookie cutter. A text message from Ryôhei to Asako: You are awful but kind of cool. Love at the centre of life doesn't seem over-weighted here, as dogs so many rom-coms/dramas. Agonising romantic heartache for the leads is palpable.
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