[Review] We Made a Beautiful Bouquet: Ideals/Reality
It has been almost six weeks since the release of We Made a Beautiful Bouquet, and I finally had the chance to watch it. Throughout this period, I kept hearing positive reviews about the film, and in the end, I am glad I experienced it on the big screen, witnessing the blossoming and withering of a romance.
(The following contains spoilers for We Made a Beautiful Bouquet)
The first half of the film effectively uses character narration to delicately describe the psychological shifts during the initial stages of a couple's relationship: acquaintance, budding feelings, and passionate love. This part is filmed very sweetly and romantically, with the two protagonists seemingly having only each other in their eyes, focusing all their attention on their interactions. They remember all the trivial details. Even when things are not going well or are difficult, they face them happily because of each other's companionship and support. They are in love during their university years, a time when they can freely pursue their ideals, tastes and interests without worrying about livelihood. This makes them feel particularly compatible, even believing they have found their destined other half. This is probably the most beautiful period of love, the time when the flowers are in full bloom.
In the second half of the film, the male protagonist begins to enter society, putting aside his ideals and interests for the sake of making a living, and their romance seems to start to fade. This part almost portrays the male protagonist as a bad guy: he becomes worldly, focusing solely on work and spending very little time with the female protagonist. Simply put, it seems like his heart has changed; his eyes are only on work, and the female protagonist is no longer there. Does he no longer love her? I believe not. He works hard to provide for them, so that the female protagonist can continue to live a relaxed and happy life without worrying about making ends meet. However, what the female protagonist wants is not a solitary life; she wants to live a relaxed and happy life with the male protagonist, continuing to pursue their ideals and interests as before. Therefore, this is not a question of "love" or "not love," but a question of "ideals" and "reality."
As I mentioned earlier, the second half of the film almost portrays the male protagonist as a fickle bad guy. Admittedly, he has changed because his living environment has also changed. After losing his father's financial support, he must work hard to earn money to provide a stable life for himself and the female protagonist. For him, this is his responsibility. Therefore, he hasn't become unloving; he has become realistic. I really like the film's structure. The romance of the first half directly contrasts with the cruelty of real life in the second half. The first half, depicting their passionate love, is almost entirely through their narration, recording small romantic moments that seem like a dreamlike world of happiness. However, during this part of the story, they are constantly immersed in this happy world, enjoying the "present" without thinking about the future or returning to reality. In the second half, the film finally shows them entering society and facing the difficulties of real life. Their attitudes towards this begin to diverge: the female protagonist wants to continue their previous life and pursue her interests, while the male protagonist feels this is not feasible and thus busies himself with work, hoping to bring them a stable life. From a realistic perspective, the male protagonist's thoughts are definitely understandable; after all, this is a problem that normal people also face. However, this is ultimately a romance film, and what everyone wants to see is probably not reality but a romantic plot, which is why the male protagonist seems like a bad guy.
The plot of a good movie does not just remain on the surface but can make the audience think deeply, and even after repeated contemplation, one can gain a deeper understanding. This film is not just about the blooming and falling of a romance but about the attitudes and approaches of a couple facing life and their emotional relationship. In the opening scene, the two protagonists point out that a couple listening to music from either side of headphones are actually listening to two different songs. This also foreshadows the relationship between the two protagonists. On the surface, they are experiencing the same romance, but later they realize that what they emphasize and pursue are different things: the male protagonist pursues a stable, long-term relationship, while the female protagonist focuses on the pleasant moments they share in the present. In a relationship, two people are independent individuals, and it is impossible for them to have the same views and feelings on every matter. However, in the case of these two protagonists, a gap emerges in their expectations for their relationship. They are fundamentally pursuing different things, and ultimately, it ends in a breakup. Their breakup does not seem to be because they no longer love each other, but because they can no longer jointly manage a relationship that meets their expectations. Therefore, after breaking up, they let go of the burden of romance and can instead get along more comfortably. I myself thought this film would be very sentimental like other mainstream Japanese romantic films, but the ending is more understated than expected, with a hint of sweetness amidst the regret.
Trailer:
Synopsis:
A love story spanning 5 years between a man and a woman. A 22-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman both miss the last train at Meidaimae Station in Tokyo and meet there. Their relationship develops romantically.
Photo and Source: IMDb