Hidamari no Kanojo (陽だまりの彼女) 2013
Rating: 8/10
Recommend: If you like the actors and if you like romantic movies :3
Review:
Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of romantic movies and more often than not Japanese romantic movies seem to piss me off rather than make me go doki-doki. Excuse my cold heart. However, I have been meaning to watch Hidamari no Kanojo simply because of Matsujun and Ueno Juri. And its wonderful soundtrack by Yamashita Tatsuro. After postponing for 2 years I finally got around to it and was delightfully surprised! I actually enjoyed this sweet, sweet movie.
Hidamari no Kanojo stars Matsumoto Jun as Okuda Kosuke and Ueno Juri as Watarai Mao. They were friends back in junior high, lost contact after and now, both in their mid-twenties, they meet again. Of course, they fell in love. This is a romance movie afterall. Not long after, however, it seems like Mao has a secret...
Fyi, I watched this after my friend spoiled Mao’s ‘secret’. So, all along I knew what her secret is and so I did not have the chance to pick up the subtle hints along the movie that leads to the big reveal. I KNEW ALL ALONG :(
That and the simple plot aside, this movie is beautiful! I know nothing about movie making and the technical terms, so I’ll try to describe it in normal words. The movie is shot in such a way that it feels very “pastel”, very soft and airy. The colour is not harsh and it sets the mood. Slow, sweet, easy-going. What I appreciate the most is how they make use of silent moments in the right places. (Yes, I do have a certain strong dislike towards silent Japanese movies, if you know what I mean).
Technicalities aside, the chemistry between the two leads is surprisingly amazing. Dang, Ueno Juri is a great actress, isn’t she. The movie focuses on them for like 80% of the time, but there are a few eye candies here and there. Namely Masaki Suda as Kosuke’s brother and Tamayama Tetsuji as Mao’s co-worker.
While there is no exact climax, even during the big reveal, there are a few adrenaline pumping moments here and there. Those moments are strangely enough to keep the movie interesting but not over the top.
Unfortunately, the plot and Mao’s secret is the biggest turnoff for me thus the 8. I am still annoyed at Mao’s secret. WHY?!? Why can’t it be something else... Meh.
Anywho, all in all, I am still recommending this to those who love romantic movies. Those who are not into romantic movies, still do give it a go, it does have its perks and twists on your usual romance.







