The film, First Love is from Japan and was released in 2019, directed by the well known filmmaker Takashi Miike. Although Miike is known for doing my different activities, he presents something unique in this film. In my opinion the most striking element about the film is the message it leaves. First Love is full of suspense but at the same time has hope and love and relies heavily on human connections, which is very positive and heartwarming. Although it is often called a crime drama, it is perhaps, at it’s core, a crime about the human capacity to love and kindle hope.
While still in Tokyo, we meet a boxer named Leo. He is a boxer well known for his talent but is still very much disengaged, to the point that he lives in a self-imposed exile. When he receives medical news, there is a radical change in mentality. Leo is disengaged and lost, but this news changes everything. He is now revitalized with a purpose, and everything is simple.
This kind of meeting involves Monica, a woman in a complicated situation. She has been, metaphorically, shackled by a powerful set of people and, inwardly, sets heavy emotional burdens upon herself. Monica, in this case, is neither a slave to her handlers, nor a victim, not even a custodian to her past, and the social constructs that uphold her, exposes her, and alienate her.
The two of them are meeting in a very special way, and what starts off in a very chaotic and arbitrary manner quickly serves as a defining moment in the lives of the two. In spite of the webs of deceit, peril, and misunderstanding that envelop them, they manage to salvage the ponds of trust, calm, and comprehension that neither of them had been exposed to in the past.
Over the course of the night, Leo and Monica help each other confront their respective fears as they traverse the city of Tokyo. Although they are faced with a myriad of twists and obstacles in their journey, the underlying theme of the narrative remains unchanged: the two seem to, through their compassionate natures and shared humanity, discover something that is indeed worth striving for.
The title First Love not only refers to the romantic bond that is starting to grow between Leo and Monica, but also the broader notion of awakening or of meaning, compassion, and emotional clarity for the first time in a lifetime.
Cast & Characters
The movie is warmed, and amplified emotionally and narratively, with the strong ensemble of the cast who, through the authenticity and depth to which each of the characters that they play embody, certainly make for a compelling watch.
Masataka Kubota as Leo
Kubota, as Leo, portrays him with emotional restriction and sincerity which is proves to be a highlight of the movie as he manages to capture the internal transformation that Leo goes through during the course of the story. The shift from emotionally withdrawn and silent to someone with strong, empathetic, and determined attributes is certainly something that is displayed in a Leo’s character arc as the movie progresses.
Sakurako Konishi as Monica
Konishi, in one of her first prominent roles, is a name that has and will go in history as someone who has performed, and will perform, exceptionally like she does in the film as Monica. The relationship that she shares with Kubota is the foundation of the movie, and is something that the audience will remember as it is filled with sentiement.
Supporting Cast
Every Tokyo night is brimming with a medley of supporting characters attempting to embody the clamor; Shota Sometani, Jun Murakami, Seiyo Uchino, and Becky do so with detectors, gangsters, and citizens, displaying nearly every side of the night’s drama. Adding a side of humor and unpredictability, every actor is transforming the chaos to “Lovely Night.”
Direction & Cinematic Style
Bold when he wants to be, and a master of his craft, Takashi Miike is a director who knows the ins and outs of every film he makes, a skill he takes partly with harder themes. In First Love, he takes a turn with his lighter themes, and ends with a “breath of fresh air” promise. Rare is the viewer who can notice the jump, it is so stark, and so upbeat the film flows, it practically glides over the dramatic side that he is known to tell.
The Tokyo streets as they were, the neon colors and energy, vaulted the film to the slums of appreciation. All was there with the camera, the gazes were frequent, energetic, and never missed a side of the characters as they dashed down every alley, into the glow of the muscley Tokyo city. Each apartment, every side street was added, seamed up with perfect timing, lighting, and sound. Every emotion was caught, every climax built and broken.
The film’s pacing is one of its most notable qualities. While revealing the story in its chronological order can be challenging, the continuity of the events allows Miike shifting his focus on a number of characters and subplots without losing the storytelling perspective. Other storylines may crossover and add depth but, the emotional center of the histogram—Leo and Monica’s growing bond— is still sustained.
The following subthemes are on focus on in the film:
Deep Human Relationship: The film is concentrated on depicting the sad life of the two protagonists and how they manage to provide the one and other some relief and a sense of purpose in the mundane existence that they have. It is also depicted how a very small and simple act of compassion and understanding has the power to turn one’s life completely around.
Fresh New Starts: The characters in the movie are constantly hoping to seek some form of new beginning. The film in itself is based on the very nice principle that there is always hope to be found, irrespective of the whether it is about running away from the past or finding a purpose to move forth.
Personal Identity and Value: Both of the protagonists, Leo and Monica, are plagued with self negative doubts about themselves and feel personally inadequate. They change the mindset along the journey they undertake together, where they start realizing the control and impact they can have on the society and themselves.
Urban Isolation: Even in a busy metropolis, the film illustrates the emotion of isolation. The narrative highlights the unsung internal struggles of people living in cities.
IMDb Rating and Critical Reception
First Love has a score of 6.7 out of 10, suggesting that the film is somewhat appreciated by the audience and critics as well. Reviewers comment on the film’s action, comedy, and romance, noting that the film is quite cheerfully happy.
Most critics even more focused on Miike’s penchant for balancing mayhem with gentle moments and regard this as one of his most easy-to-view films. Although it still possesses the energy and unpredictability that is characteristic of his earlier films, First Love is filled with emotional warmth and character driven storytelling.
The performances of the two leads, Masataka Kubota and Sakurako Konishi, were even more appreciated. Many people stated that the gentle representation of two very normal people in very weird situations was a big reason this film was filled with genuine feeling.
First Love was well liked, as well, at film festivals with the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight because of the skilled direction, tone, and inventive storytelling.
Conclusion.
First Love (2019), a film released in 2019, presented in positive light, is awe inspiring. What could’ve been yet another urban crime movie shifts completely and encapsulates a powerful narrative that captures the essence of trust, renewal, and emotional revival. With the lens of Monica and Leo, the film is a beacon of hope and empathy, no matter how adverse the circumstances are.
Takashi Miike is a phenomenal writer. First Love is not only entertaining with its upbeat rhythm and vivid characters, but also strikes a chord in the heart. It is amusing and, at the same time, emotionally powerful. Miike is successful in addressing all three aspects of novels in his splendid movie: character driven, urban, and dramatic, in addition to subtle transformations of the self. The film is indeed, unforgettable.
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