Tenshi no koi

A showcase of then national(?) pride, Japanese AV idol, Sasaki Nozomi - literally. This could be made into a music video and would still purvey the whole story. Eye candy in a better and wholesome package. In any case, I don't know what my standards (or of culture) are at right now but for the material, she can definitely act her part.

Forget character development unlike similar themed Asian dramas like "Crying Out Love in the Center of the World (Sekai no Chûshin de, Ai o Sakebu, 2004)", "A Moment to Remember (Nae Meorisokui Jiwoogae, 2004)", "My Girl and I (Parang-juuibo, 2005), "Closer to Heaven (Nae Sa-rang Nae Gyeol-ae)", "Forever and a Day (Filipino, 2011)", "All My Life" (Filipino, 2004)", etc. OR even "Untamed Heart (American, 1993); 'tis a whirlwind of accelerated emotions, situations and conflicts. Don't expect much conveyance of emotions either. I get more uneasy from watching uploaded commercials of a Thai insurance company.

Cinematography was beautifully shot regardless of location, with the perennial focus and zoom on Miss Sasaki's too perfect a profile not lacking. It was too much to not ponder on that I reluctantly asked my teen-aged daughter (whom I was watching this with, and yes there where uncomfortable parts!); "Can they Photoshop™ a whole movie?".

Plot was not as hard to miss, just that it was progressing too fast to be expected. If it was made into a mini-series then much would rather make sense (like Hotaru no Hikari, which is WAY out of context). Other characters or sub-plots are just as forgettable as they come and go. Culture shock would be not as hard as to come by judging from various taboos the story includes (excessive and disturbing school bullying, disturbing "part-time" jobs for minors, co-habitation situations, etc.).

All in all, its characters are beautiful, flaws are bearable and definitely watchable just don't expect it to conform to your norms and values (maybe unless you're from where this movie came from).

So this 17 year old literal prostitute (she "sells" herself out to an older rich guy for money and she does escort on top of it, she also bullies and manipulates other girls into joining her depraved path) falls in love with a handsome professor. She charms the poor guy into falling for her too, without telling him about her "past". What follows is a redemption story of her wanting to start anew, which just didn't work at all for me. There are reasons why she became so messed up, but some things you just can't come back from and being a prostitute is one of them. That's why I could not relate or sympathize at all with her and the ensuing romance didn't touch me at all. And let's be honest, for most other viewers it probably wouldn't work either if she wasn't pretty. To be fair, if it wasn't for that one thing, it would be a pretty nice movie.

This is not one of the best Japanese films I have ever seen and the story is very flat but i managed to watch the film until the end. the story for me lacks depth and not because I follow it in the native Japanese language with English sub-titles. Viewed simplistically, it is an enjoyable teen drama about a young girl who seems to get bullied and then protected and then sucked it to behave like the other girls and the girls are trendy and have a seedy purpose in going with men (we presume) in order to get money but the film is no way seedy and there are no scenes of a sexual nature at all throughout the film. In that sense, the film is tastefully produced and compelled my viewing. It might have been perceived as a comedy but that failed my cultural understanding. I have scored the film lowly but if I were a teenager and female and Japanese, the film would surely have a lot of appeal.

Is it just me, or does this feel like a weird ripoff of La Belle Personne? A beautiful girl comes to a new school, but due to her tragic background fails to form meaningful relationships. The girl is cold and somewhat unpleasant to be around. Despite this frigid behavior, she becomes involved with at least one of the many boys who admire her, but she is unable to completely reciprocate the feelings. Then, a teacher comes along. For some reason, they can love and make a movie out of it, but they cannot stay together.

Fin.

(Rei and Junie even have the same haircut!)

I saw it back in 2014. The story was beautiful from start to finish, The cinematography,music,pacing is perfect for a romantic movie. I don't see romantic movies often but worth seeing this one The cast was phenomenal , She was mesmerizing.

Watch it cause it's hard to write words for this movie ,you can only experience it but never explain it.