My Beautiful Man: Eternal

This film was made as a continuation of the series Utsukushii Kare, adapted from Yuu Nagira's novels, and is the second feature in the run. Hira and Kiyoi's relationship here coincides with the end of university and with Kiyoi's rise as an actor. The imbalance from the earlier instalments continues, and the film treats it as the problem it is. Hira's admiration for Kiyoi is close to worship; Kiyoi wants an equal relationship and is worn down by the other constantly diminishing himself. That is what the narrative is about: love mixed with adoration, and adoration failing to carry the relationship. Mai Sakai's direction keeps the plain language of the series. Long silences, tight spaces, interior monologue. Anyone who has not watched the series will struggle with the characters' history, and the film makes no attempt to explain it. Who it's for: viewers who followed the series and want the closing chapter. Who it's not for: anyone hoping to start here; the film assumes its context completely.