What if one day, you dream of waking up in someone else's body? What if you find out the other person is experiencing the same? What if you find out they are not dreams, but reality after all?
Kimi no Na wa introduces to us Mitsuha and Taki, two high schoolers living out this peculiar phenomenon. When they start acting weird to the people around them periodically, and they hear stories they don't remember doing, they put two and two together. Communicating through diaries entries in smartphones, they try to navigate the other's life and get used to this strange events happening at random. Until a comet falls, and they never switch bodies again. But can you really go back to normality, when you've experienced something ordinary?
I found out about this movie not too long ago. I read the synopsis, watched PVs, nothing new. But I found myself wanting to watch it, at that very moment. There were times when I couldn't stop thinking about it. Now, I have finished watching it. I loved it beyond comprehension. I have been seeing a lot of good stuff, but nothing filled the gap like Kimi no Na wa. I didn't know what I was exactly looking for, but as the ending credits started rolling, I knew that I found it.
Story: 9/10
Body-switching. What's new with that? If it's with someone away from you, I guess it is. The first part of the plot revolves around this. I found it amusing, how little by little, they changed each other's life; how by every second in another's body lets you know more about another person; how while being irked with each other, they subconsciously yearned for the day they met.
I don't want any spoilers in this review, I believe one should watch this with their mind full of guesses, not vague fragments of the story. The first half of the story was quite energetic for me, but not as exciting the latter part. To vaguely describe it, dynamic would be the word. Lots of ups and downs. A smile, followed by tears. "Will it be a happy ending? Or will it end tragically?" was an endless loop in my brain. Whether mild or extreme, the events will surprise you.
Art: 10/10
The PV already let me know this movie was going to be eye candy. Hundreds of stills could easily become my next wallpaper. It was definitely full of scenery, which made it feel longer than it actually is, but in a good way. These brief scenes merely showed normal objects, every day experiences, and yet they looked so visually appealing. More blood, sweat, and tears were put in these frames and they did not disappoint.
Sound: 9/10
RADWIMPS' "Zenzenzense" caught my attention from the first beat, and became memorable when the tune fluctuated. I later found out that the band was behind the entire soundtrack and Makoto Shinkai was a fan of them. I thought they just made rock music, but they also produced delicate melodies that I now listen to when studying. I kept myself occupied by listening to the soundtrack until I can finally watch the movie and envisioning the scenes each song would play. Amazing graphics looked so much better with the songs. My personal favorite was "Sparkle".
Character: 8/10
Both protagonists were just average. They weren't intellectual prodigies nor school celebrities. But give them a goal, to see the person they're switching bodies with, they will teach you bravery, they will teach you hope. They both showed that when you really want something, you go to great lengths for it. But we run out of fuel eventually, we will simply let things be. I felt connected to them in the sense that although they didn't have horrible lives, they still felt incomplete. They also learned their lessons. Rather that let fate surprise them one day, they decided they need to take a step forward, because there is not enough time in the world for everything to fall into place if they don't act now.
Enjoyment: 10/10
A good movie for me is one that lets me feel a full spectrum of emotions. Crying, laughing, those are given. But there was so much more. In between beautifully interwoven words, and majestic scenes and moving music. A few elements in the plot, I also had affinities with, e.g. diaries and celestial bodies. I would not mind if the rest of my life was the two hours I spent watching this. It was painful, very. It exhausted me. It was an inexplicable experience I liked. Many people like a movie for the story. I loved everything, and I sure as hell enjoyed it.
Overall: 10/10
I think I pretty much explained why it got this rating. I would give it more if I could. Masterpiece is an understatement. Now to try reviewing for my English test tomorrow... which will probably be futile, since this movie is going to be in my head for a long, long time.
