I'm happy to have another cute and delightful Japanese film to report on. Like Naisu no Mori, this is another Viz Media release (my favorite company for putting out Japanese language films here in the U.S.). Based on a manga and originally titled Lovely Complex, you can find this one here under the name of Love*Com.
The entire concept of the movie is so basic and ridiculous that it's hard to believe they were able to make a full-length movie out of such a simple idea. High school students Risa Koizumi (Ema Fujisawa) and Atsushi Otani (Teppei Koike) are friends. Risa is a tall girl who was burned by a short boy she previously fell in love with. Otani is a short boy whose heart was broken by a tall girl he confessed his love to. Risa and Otani like each other but neither is willing to give their hearts to one another because of their past romances. Will the tall girl get her cute little shortie? This is the entire premise of the film.
It's a silly, ridiculous and utterly frivolous movie. There is not one moment where you believe that it won't have a happy ending. Yet it's so overly saccharine and vibrant that it's difficult not to get swept up in the fun of it all. The kids wear clothes ripped from the pages of Japanese fashion magazines Cutie and Zipper, and they all look unbelievably cute. The music is pure pop confection, including a prominently featured Puffy song, "Signs of Love". Finally, the movie culminates in a climatic basketball duel. It's tough not to like it a little, just for the breezy entertainment it serves.
Like a cotton candy ice cream cupcake covered in colorful little sprinkles, Love*Com may not be the best dessert you ever tasted but it looks cute and sure is sweet!
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