We Made a Beautiful Bouquet (Japan, 2021)

Winter is coming and we all want something nice, warm and romantic to watch, right? Of course we do and here it is.

The English title of this film is a bit clunky and yes, the opening in which two 22 year olds, male and female students, both miss the last train and meet is standard boy-meets-girl stuff.

But there are real nuances in this film about how relationships grow. The film shows how their relationship develops over the following five years and, while the director keeps the drama light, it has a punch and poignancy for us all, The film explores the misunderstandings and pressures that are part of any relationship.

What makes this film so great for us in Auckland is its Japanese setting. We see young Japanese people dealing with a universal issue (romance) that we all feel. This is where exploring issues set in another culture is so enthralling.

SO, if you are a young person out there and you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, invite them along to this film. I want to hear what you think of this! One reviewer said:

"Romantic dramas may not be for everyone but if they had the heart and astute approach We Made A Beautiful Bouquet does, they may not be so easily dismissed as mindless fluff. Nice film!"