Egoist

A beautiful movie. The characters are just so wonderfully ordinary.

As the film leans into melodrama, it loses both its friction and frisson, and a steaming-hot premise turns into something cold to the touch.

Consistent with its style, which is so free of ornament, it pursues its themes with a welcome directness.

Daishi Matsunaga’s adaptation of the late Makoto Takayama’s autobiographical novel is a joy; a satisfyingly textured, bittersweet character study infused with warmth and energy.

You're watching him becoming an adult after living this frivolous lifestyle. It's really touching in that way.

Each sad scene is a touch too maudlin, and by keeping the camera so close on its subjects, it somehow distorts the lives of its characters.

In the hands of a different director, Egoist could've well been a rousing melodrama, but with Matsunaga's antiseptic touch, the film offers little outside of easy-on-the-eyes blandness.

An engrossing, tender and heartbreaking love story.

What follows is both surprising and beautifully wrought. With a solid script and direction, plus first-rate thesping . . . and with a whole lot of Mother-Love incorporated and some tears, Egoist is one the top queer offerings out so far this year.

Suzuki, Miyazawa, and Agawa are all fantastic. Each actor gives a convincing and moving performance. Even with the heartbreaking elements of the story, Egoist is strongly recommended.