Review of Love & Pop (1998) by Brian Daniel L — 11 Nov 2009
This exploration of subsidized dating in Japan is made even more grim by how lighthearted it is on the surface. Just as the name of the movie sounds nice and innocent, so do the characters appear in the beginning, and it is difficult to watch the protagonist get caught in a downward spiral leading all the way to its disturbing but not unexpected conclusion.
The cinematography relies on low-budget documentary-style techniques that make the film come across as more raw and realistic, and the acting is so honest that I never once questioned whether these girls could be real people.
This kind of realism is daunting, and I felt emotionally invested in the protagonist's highs and lows. It was enough to make me forgive some of the times when the story started to feel a bit incoherent or messy, as well as the occasional slow pacing.
This review of Love & Pop (1998) was written by Brian Daniel L on 11 Nov 2009.
Love & Pop has generally received very positive reviews.
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