Ride or Die

Thankfully, this movie is not a knock-off of Thelma and Louis. That said, it has its moments but also a lot of flaws.

The good: The subject of domestic abuse or LGBTQ is not often seen in Japanese cinema, so this movie is a welcomed rarity. The soundtrack is also interesting, as if it is trying to convince the viewer that they are watching merely a romantic movie.

The bad: The acting is too wooden at times. The dialogue sometimes sounds like exposition rather than organic conversation. The story at its very basic is not very believable. This last part is the worst, because the movie seems.to suggest that if you're LGBTQ, then you must have a mental problem.

Verdict: It's worth a watch, but really it's more of an unevenly told story about two lost women that is more a fantasy rather than an important dramatic commentary on societal norms versus those who are different in Japan.

Kinda hard at first, but as the movie continues you get attached to the story and its a 2hour journey of many feelings while watching it, loved so much the performances by the two actresses, it was the first time I've watched their work, I have to say, big round of applause for kiko mizuhara, she carried the movie graciously, her performance was on point.

There is a song by LOX and an artist/rapper (Eve) called Ride or Die chick. Well sometimes they use a different word and not chick, but I only mention it, because the title reminded me of the song ... and I reckon you could say it is fitting when it comes to the story.

Now this starts off quite intense ... sexy time (and nudity) and violence combined into something quite horrible - in a "good sense" I reckon. As in suspensful and making the movie interesting ... not to mention the characters. Then we get a flashback that explains why we are were we are ... and then the drama starts and unfolds. So while you may feel that the movie starts with a bang (no pun intended), it really does slow down.

So I reckon some might not like this because of the way it starts (squeamish people) and some will not like how it continues ... those who got sucked in by that really powerful beginning. And then there are those like me, who like the mixture of those two things. Slow moving mostly, it does not hold back its punches ... not for the faint hearted as you may already have recognized.

I liked the purity of this film. Really felt the passion from the actors in this. Cute, sad, happy all at the same time.

Had potential story with good acting, expect it too dark for romance movie and also the pacing slow.