Kyou Koi Wo Hajimemasu (Live Action Movie) Review

Alternative Title: Love for Beginners

Year: 2012

Language: Japanese

Genre: Romance, School

Image Credit: Amazon Japan

Synopsis:

Tsubaki (Emi Takei) is a very old-fashioned and upright girl. She meets playboy Tsubaki (Tori Matsuzaka) whom she initially hates. Despite their differences, they develop feelings for each other and start dating. 

Cheerfulnuts' Review:

I'm not crazy about the movie Kyou Koi Wo Hajimemasu. It seems that those who have read the manga (where the movie is based on) love the movie though. So I guess reading the manga first will make you appreciate the movie more. Unfortunately, it's too late for me.

At face value, the movie looks good. But after watching it, I JUST DON'T GET IT. It's not the plot that is difficult to understand. I just don't see the point of the movie. The storyline is quite simple. Two teenagers fall in love with each other. The girl is old-fashioned, unpopular, and has a low self-esteem. On the other hand, the guy is a top student, a playboy, and a hearththrob. The only thing they have in common is their name - Tsubaki. I wanted to see how they'll develop feelings for each other. But I was disappointed not to see it at all.

On the first day of high school, Tsubaki Hibino (girl) is shocked to see girls in short skirts and guys with long hair and piercings. She then bumps into Kyouta Tsubaki whom she immediately dislikes. She soon learns that she's in the same class with the guy, much to her horror. Kyouta flirts with her but she tries to stay away from him. However, because of some school activities, the two start to hangout more often. He initially wants to sleep with her, but after Tsubaki rejects his advances, he promises not to force her anymore. I thought, oh wow, he's a gentleman. Maybe this movie is all about showing love is much more than sex! Sadly, in the end, I learned that I was wrong.

Going back to the story, Tsubaki realizes that she loves Mr. Playboy. She confesses her feelings and tells him she will sleep with him. What? What happened to her "no sex before marriage" principle? Perhaps I can understand that a girl in love is willing to do anything for her beloved. But telling such things to a guy whose feelings is still unclear is plain stupidity. I thought she's a much deeper character who would stick to her values 'til the end and this certain trait will make Kyouta head over heels with her. Turns out it's entirely different from what I expected. Kyouta gets angry and tells her "I thought you're different. You're just like her," and walks away.

Tsubaki learns later on that "her" refers to Kyouta's mother. On his 8th birthday (10 on manga), the mother tells the kid she loves him before running off with another man. Great, what a way to love a son. That was the last time he saw her. The poor boy has become allergic to I love you's and stuff like that. He also dreads his birthday. That is why he's afraid of commitments and has become a playboy. I understand that it's traumatic to be betrayed by the person you love. But still, this revelation doesn't make me understand Kyouta's character any better.

As expected, the heroine is determined to change the way Kyouta looks at his birthday. With the help of her friends, Tsubaki gives him a little birthday surprise by sneaking into a classroom at night and decorating it with pumpkins and "Happy Halloween" signs. At the same time, she confesses her love to him (again) while wearing a polar bear suit. It made me cringe a bit. The mascot sure is cute, but it's a weird confession. However, Kyouta doesn't think like I do. He seems touched and they immediately become an item.

One year has passed and they're still together (clap clap clap). But of course, a love story wouldn't be complete without the couple's going through a bumpy road. It makes the love sweeter and in turn makes the viewers swoon. But no matter how hard I tried, I didn't feel the love. 

Life taught me that a guy should make a girl he loves feel special. He should treat her differently from other girls. In the movie, the special treatment is nothing else but holding hands, kissing, and perhaps gift-giving. When an ex-lover comes into the scene, Tsubaki seems to give her more attention than to his girlfriend. It doesn't feel good at all and the movie didn't give me a satisfying resolution!

The trials are too much for the couple to handle. They break up. After some time, they realize that they have become a better person because of each other. So they reconcile, kiss, sleep together beside a telescope (told you it's not about showing love is much more than sex), and live happily ever after. Huh? The credits started to roll in and I couldn't believe this movie got high ratings. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I have to read the manga. Yeah, that must be it.

Cheerfulnuts' Verdict:

4 out of 10 stars

It should be 2 stars, but I give it more because it still managed to make me watch from beginning to end.