Movie Digest
Love, Life and Goldfish is a musical movie about a young man Makoto Kashiba who works for an elite bank but gets demoted to a small-town branch after insulting his boss. He is wrecked after being transferred to a country town who have a wired obsession with goldfish. But then he meets Yoshino Ikoma who runs a goldfish scooping store and is also a pianist and falls in love with her at first sight but Yoshino is in love with Noboru Oji, a master pianist, and a goldfish catcher. Makoto also meets Asuka, a pub owner who likes him but he has eyes only for Yoshino. The story follows these four characters and has a bold ending.
The Feel-Good Part
The movie has beautiful visuals. They are just so pleasing to your eyes that you don’t want the movie to end. The colors, the costume, the setting everything is wonderful.
The music in the movie is very impressive and the songs are not too long so it never feels very lengthy or dragged.
The Disappointing Factor
The male lead is not very likable. He is arrogant, controlling, and the type of person you’ll never want in the same room as you. Now we can understand that he has always lived in the city and suddenly moving to a country town is new, it takes time to adjust and he does improve but barely. He always remains aloof and imperious.
In-Depth Analysis
This is a rare Japanese musical film revolving around Makoto Kashiba. It is based on the manga series “Sukutte Goran”. Makoto is an elite bank clerk, working for a reputed bank in Tokyo, but because of an error, he gets demoted to a small country town. He is devastated by the turn his life has taken but upon arriving he meets a young beautiful woman Yoshino Ikoma, who runs a shop scooping as many goldfish in a specific period, which gives them immense pleasure and falls for her at first sight.
The movie has outstanding visuals. Everything from the parlor to the bar has a visual appeal to them. Even the kimonos are a sight to see.
Love, Life, and Goldfish being a musical movie will make you fall for Japanese pop and folk music. The movie has every type of music. It has a combination of all types of genres which gives you diversity in music and the movie doesn’t feel boring.
Star Power
Kanako Momota being a member of an idol group did an amazing job in this musical movie. Though Matsuya Onoe’s character is not very appealing, he did a wonderful job at portraying Makoto. The supporting roles were also good.
Overall Opinion
it is a light movie with slight humor and good music. You can give it a try if you like modest rom-com with a slice of life taste.
