I've just seen this film yesterday at the University. As a very serious movie fan, I didn't expect anything of the film. Especially, being a typical male and the kind of person who is not too keen into romance movies. However, I was carried away after the first 15 minutes. I've been very busy lately with work but I still couldn't stop thinking about the storyline as I consistently found myself analysing the feelings and emotions from the perspectives of the people who are involved in the story. The philosophical statements in the film have also enforced a huge impact on my mind. They significantly play very important part in the story. I do not want give any more details but I strongly believe that this film should be seen by all movie goers.

This is one of those movies that constantly forcefully tries to throw tear jerking moments at the audience. But there isn't enough development or romance to make it work. It just has a guy crying all the way through the movie and a girl in a hospital that is in deep depression because she doesn't have much time to live. The thing is although the movie tries to show the deep bond between these two characters, it just isn't all the effective. And just seemed really forced at times. TV shows like "1 Litre of Tears" and the drama version of this movie worked because there is enough build up but that isn't the case here. Even when the movie is finished you just don't really know any of the characters all that well. To bring out enough emotion, even though the sadness seems believable. Yes, death is no joke but it just seemed to lack in areas where it needed more while trying to force emotions out of the audience. This isn't really a romance movie but saying goodbye to a loved one and how the guy that fell for that girl coups with it all. There wasn't any students that had cellphone during the timeline when it comes to the story this movie take place. So both the guy and the girl send back and forth cassette tape with their message on it and that just becomes tedious and depressing to watch. But it just isn't effective and doesn't really leave an impact. I also really disliked the male student version of the protagonist. Not because of his character or acting but his facial structure. He just looked unintentionally bored all the time and couldn't take him seriously. They probably picked him when casting because he looks kinda like the younger version of Takao Osawa but still.

4/10