[Confession] Kita Kita
What a refreshing way to be back on my blog by reviewing one of the best produced, unmainstreamed (is that even a word?) movie this year. Kita Kita (I See You) is a humble production of having picturesque places of Japan and fresh spin of a homely love story that anyone did not expect to find.
Here is the synopsis of the movie:
Lea (played by Alessandra de Rossi) is a free spirited Filipino girl who lives in Sapporo, Japan and works as a Velo taxi tour guide and is engaged with a Japanese guy named Nobu. One day, in an extreme moment of stress, Lea lost her vision. On the other hand, Tonyo (Empoy), a fellow Kabayan, is a neighbor of Lea and approaches and convinces her to be his tour guide around Sapporo. Then the unlikely romance happens.
The Public is in love with this film and I would be a liar if I say I'm not one of them. Kita Kita shows a familiar perspective on romance-comedy with an unlikely couple of Lea (Alessandra de Rossi) and Tonyo (Empoy) where a beautiful girl falls in love with a not-so-handsome-but-funny-guy. But despite the fact that it has been retreaded multiple times, there is just something so jovial and cathartic seeing two people loving who they love. After all, we as a nation is known naturally romantics.
This movie is so touching and made a strong statement about discovering another person from what's inside him foremost. It tells how the physical appearance is not really important when it comes to finding genuine love. I super compliment the two actors because this is the first time I've seen them in a different role. I've seen Alex in a dozen drama and now takes on a character so apart from her frowning face while Empoy lived in the life of Comedy but now takes a role so sincere and funny that these two has been the most genuine characters I've seen this year. Their lines didn't feel like it came from a script and their acting feels so real. The effervescent chemistry between the two, however quirky and odd they may look together, is palpably sincere and lovingly infectious.
Too bad I didn't cry. It melt my heart but not in the point of bawling. It was not because I'm holding back tears but because I've already seen the formula. The Filipino production adapted the Japanese style of movie story(telling). Most Japanese movies have the same pattern that's why I kinda stopped watching them. I wasn't surprised anymore. However, I'm not saying it's not original, I'm just saying it's more of an adaptation of Japanese formula (taking advantage of the fact that they're in Japan) with a Filipino touch. BUTT I especially like the final montage in the end. Overall, it was a very meaningful movie.
For people whose not fond of Asian movies unlike me, you'll see this movie as one of the best produced romance-tearjerker of the year. So watch naaaa!
PS.I specifically like KZ Tandingan's rendition of "Two Less Lonely People in the World" - it's my jammm~
My Rating:
Plot: 8.5/10
Acting: 10/10
Cinematography: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Uniqueness: 7.0/10
OVERALL RATING: 9.1