Love Like the Falling Petals Review: Heartfelt, poignant and somewhat predictable 

Love Like the Falling Petals begins like a formulaic and somewhat hackneyed romantic story. The first half hour of the film runs along the lines of a standard K-drama, with the leads falling into patterns you would associate with the genre. It’s safe to say that this initial quarter isn’t its strong suit. The idea of Kento Nakajima’s diffident, aspiring photographer falling for Honoka Matsumoto’s polar opposite character, an impulsive, effervescent hair stylist who talks nineteen to the dozen without so much as skipping a beat, makes sense on paper, but the onscreen execution leaves much to be desired. Harutoo (Nakajima) and Misaki (Matsumoto) meet by chance at the salon, with an unintentional and bloody incident providing him a chance to ask her out on a date. But here’s the thing about the shy young man and his professional dreams. He has been around cameras all his life, but has never really garnered the courage to follow his passion seriously. Like many romances, even Love Like the Falling Petals (based on Keisuke Uyama’s novel) begins with a white lie. A white lie that snowballs into a visibly distraught Misaki impressing upon the wide-eyed Harutoo to not expect things in life to just fall into his lap. While the scene, in and of itself, is quite incredulous - for the former’s avoidable theatrics and the latter’s dopey response – it does make sense as a life lesson…holding Nakajima’s joint lead character in good stead for the times to follow.

Director – Yoshihiro Fukagawa 
Cast – Kento Nakajima, Honoka Matsumoto
Streaming On – Netflix 

What surprises in this Japanese romantic drama (for those of us who haven’t read the novel) is the moment of conflict. It moves along in a daffy sort of way before veering off into poignant, heartfelt territory. The couple’s union is short-lived, with Harutoo failing to receive closure. She ghosts him one fine day, and exits his life. His repeated attempts to reconnect are thwarted at every turn. When she finally calls him back, he refuses to believe the lie she concocts for the abrupt break-up. Harutoo dusts himself off and sets about putting all he has to give into his photography; the studio he works at isn’t necessarily supportive, but he has decided to learn at any cost. Meanwhile, Misaki shrinks into a shadow of her former self, leaving her brother and sister-in-law to deal with the physical and emotional fallout of her irreversible condition.

The film touches upon the subjects of ageing, beauty, self-worth and body image, with a bitter Misaki going as far as to tell her sister-in-law to no longer enter her room; she says she will end up envying the latter (whom she regards as a sister) for her still-untouched youth and looks. The adverse effects of an unexpected and life-threatening illness on a young woman’s psyche form one of the primary themes explored in the narrative. Misaki wishes for Harutoo to remember her from their last meeting: beautiful and exuberant, akin to a cherry blossom in full bloom. The cherry blossom and spring metaphor play out as a reminder to the viewer…of the couple’s many grand plans ahead.

Love Like the Falling Petals could have perhaps offered more by way of its writing. There are times when you feel it is just manipulating you into feeling sad, with an absence of the required depth for such a response. Despite its best intentions, the film has a tendency to come off as simplistic every once in a while. Other parts feel genuine and heartfelt. The family dynamic post-diagnosis is one such instance. Misaki’s brother’s denial about the severity of her condition, and his subsequent efforts to get her the best alternate therapy, culminates in a poignant exchange between the siblings as they sit on a flight of steps overlooking the hills. Harutoo’s exhibition, which is inspired entirely by his fondest memories of Misaki, is another. Lastly, the conversations (through a partition) tinged with laughter, joy and tears, make an impression. The cherry blossom hat (and what it means to an unsuspecting Harutoo) adds an artistic touch to the narrative. 

Through the story, Honoka Matsumoto does a better job than her co-star, making a strong case for her to be considered the true lead. Romantic cliches and overall silliness of the introduction, notwithstanding, the film succeeds in getting you behind its larger message, which is the power love has in transcending time and space. Worth a watch!