"First Love" Entertainment is the flower of the movie - Miike's pure love action drama packed with comedy, violence, and Tarantino

“First Love” Synopsis

Shinjuku and Kabukicho are filled with desire. Leo Katsuragi (Masataka Kubota), a professional boxer who is alone in his life, has a rare talent, but he unexpectedly loses by KO in a match against a lower-ranked opponent that he cannot afford to lose.After the match, he is diagnosed with an illness that does not give him much time left to live. I was told that there was.

As Leo wanders aimlessly through the city, a girl runs right in front of him. Reacts to the word "help" and immediately KOs the pursuer. But the man who defeated him is a detective! When Leo picks up the police notebook that has fallen from his pocket, he is run over by the arm by a girl and leaves the scene. The girl introduces herself as Monica (Sakura Konishi) and reveals that her father is making her shoulder debts and that she cannot escape from the yakuza. The man Leo defeated earlier is detective Otomo (Naotomo Omori), who is working behind the scenes with Yakuza strategist Kase (Shota Sometani) in a scheme to steal the "things" that are the source of Yakuza funding. He was trying to use Monica for that plan.

Leo, who is chased by both the Yakuza and Otomo, tries to leave Monica behind, but he is unable to believe that Monica's situation, abandoned by her parents and has no one to rely on, is anyone else's problem, and is concerned about her short life ahead. If that's the case, I go along with her, even though I'm half-hearted.

On the other hand, the members of the group are informed by Monica's lover, Juri (Becky), that the "thing" that was the source of funds has disappeared along with Monica, and that Yasu (Takahiro Miura), a lowly member of the group who was in charge of it, has been found dead. Amidst the tense atmosphere under the acting group leader (Sansei Shiomi), Gondo (Seiyo Uchino), who has just been released from prison after completing his sentence, suspects that the series of incidents are the work of his enemy, the Chinese mafia. He sets out for revenge with nuclear warhead Ichikawa (Jun Murakami) and others. Juri, who wants to avenge Yasu with her own hands, follows suit.

Fu (Dan Jun Hao), a member of the Chinese mafia who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the series, orders his member Chia Chi (Fujioka Asami) to track down Monica and Butsu in order to buy into the fight and take over Shinogi. and begins gathering troops. Yakuza, unscrupulous detectives, and the Chinese mafia. What awaits Lonely Leo and Monica when they get caught up in a fight between villains? The most intense night of your life where desires collide has begun!

Index

• The culmination of Takashi Miike, the ultimate omnivorous director
• A lovely coincidence with the works of his ally director Tarantino
• Four factors that create ease of entry
• Director Miike's charisma that ignites actors

The culmination of Takashi Miike, the ultimate omnivorous director

I can't help it. It's just a fun, and above all, free movie.

A love x violence movie with an even exhilarating feel to it. The expressions on the actors' faces that you won't see anywhere else.

A masterpiece action drama that loudly proclaims that entertainment is the beauty of movies.

Director Quentin Tarantino is a big fan and even starred in the movie. It influenced directors Eli Roth and Park Chan-wook. After announcing his new work, he was invited to film festivals around the world and received inquiries from Hollywood, but he turned them all down because it didn't suit his style. Moreover, he is a member of the American Academy of Sciences, and his own work was ranked among the top 25 horror films in the world by TIME magazine. There is a Japanese film director who boasts such an extraordinary heroic story. This is Takashi Miike.

However...this is just my personal opinion, but I have to say that director Miike is an extremely difficult person to discuss. It's because his filmography is so messed up. He has worked on films ranging from outrageous cult films like ``Yakuza Theater Gozu'' (2003) to ``Audition'' (2000), which is enthusiastically supported by cinephiles around the world, making people think that he is an art filmmaker. Then, he calmly picks up ``The Great Yokai War'' (2005), which even children can enjoy. Recently, he has been working on a special effects program for girls, giving him too much freedom.

"Audition" preview

Even in the category of movies based on manga, ``Crows ZERO'' (07-09), ``Terra Formars'' (16), ``JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Chapter 1'' (17)...there is no regularity. , the tension and style vary widely. For example, in 2012, ``Gyakuten Saiban'', ``Ai to Makoto'', and ``Aku no Kyokyo'' were released, but there are live-action adaptations of popular The Game, musical films of legendary manga, and famous novels about an abnormal psychopathic teacher. has been made into a movie...and it's no wonder he's so omnivorous.

The reaction from the public varies widely, sometimes receiving great praise and sometimes being criticized harshly. Astonishing ups and downs...I have never seen a film director go through so many ups and downs. This probably has a lot to do with his policy of not being picky and accepting work in the order it comes, but once you get past this point, it's as if Takashi Miike, the film director, is a movie in itself.

To be honest with Miike's films, you don't really know whether you'll like it or not until you see it. He's a director who offers an exciting way to enjoy movies, just like a ``dark hot pot.'' In other words, his works are always fresh and never settle down, in a good way. This is why, despite his overwhelmingly prolific output compared to other film directors, he lacks the feeling of a master.

Director Miike has decided to make an original film for the first time in a while. The title is "First Love" (20). I think many people were shocked when they heard this. Even though he is a genius who can shoot anything, the title is too far away... It makes me want to scream "That's a lie!" just as much as I did when the title of Michael Haneke's new film was "Happy Ending" (17). It's a title that caught people's attention.

"First Love" preview

Moreover, with almost no information available in Japan, the film was selected for the Directors' Fortnight at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival in 2019, and was subsequently released in the United States, another unconventional move. The film has received a positive response locally, with a rating of 97% (as of February 24) on Rotten Tomatoes, the largest movie review site in the United States, which is known for its harsh reviews. Additionally, the previews held in Japan received a tremendous response, and movie fans must have been anxiously awaiting the film's release.

In conclusion, ``First Love'' is simply a masterpiece. It's not that it's "thought-provoking" or "profound," it's just that it makes you forget everything and laugh, and you're captivated and entertained. It is safe to say that it is a genuine entertainment product. The miscellaneous essence of director Miike that he has accumulated over the years has been condensed and shines brightly. This is Miike's most comprehensive work to date.