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What Is Love?

Name: What Is Love?
Director: Rikiya Imaizumi
Released: 2019
Duration: 123 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

2019

Director

Rikiya Imaizumi

Runtime

123 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film presents a minimalist slice-of-life drama that prioritizes intimate, character-driven emotional truths over systemic social critique. It avoids idealized romantic clichés by focusing on the messy, asymmetrical reality of unrequited love and interpersonal friction. While the narrative disrupts conventional romance through its depiction of power imbalances, it lacks significant characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity. The focus remains on micro-dynamics of individual connections rather than macro-level social or identity-based discourse. Ultimately, the work operates within a conventional straight-centered and culturally specific framework, offering a study of urban Japanese life.

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Category Breakdown

Does What Is Love? have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a heterosexual relationship and does not include any queer narratives or non-cisgender identities.

How does What Is Love? portray gender?

Fair

Teruko experiences significant emotional impact and loss, while Mamoru maintains a detached, transactional view of their relationship.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What Is Love??

Limited

The film features a primarily Japanese cast, reflecting local demographics without challenging ethnic hierarchies through diverse casting.

How does What Is Love? represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative emphasizes personal emotions over religious or patriotic ideals, showing how social structures break down through personal obsession.

Does What Is Love? include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the provided character details.

Present on Screen

Disrupts idealized romantic clichés by presenting a transactional and asymmetrical relationship dynamic.
Provides a realistic, non-idealized look at the consequences of personal obsession on social standing.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity or diverse identity-based narratives.
Operates within a conventional straight-centered framework without queer or non-cisgender perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Teruko is a 28-year-old office worker. 5 months ago, she fell in love with Mamoru at first sight. Since that time, she has not cared about her work or her friends. She then loses her job and her friends look at her coldly. Yet, Teruko is happy as long as she is with Mamoru. Meanwhile, Mamoru thinks Teruko is an easy woman for him to not love. Teruko's unrequited love grows deeper.

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