Drawing
Closer (Original title: Yomei Ichinen to Senkoku Sareta Boku ga, Yomei Hantoshi
no Kimi to Deatta Hanashi) | 2024 | 1h 58m
Genre:
Drama/Romance | Country: Japan
Director:
Takahiro Miki | Writers: Takahiro Miki, Aoi Morita, Tomoko Yoshida
Cast:
Ren Nagase, Natsuki Deguchi, Mayu Yokota
IMDB:
7.7
My
Rate: 8/10
Akito, who only has one year left, meets Haruna, a girl who has six months remaining but faces it with an unusual calmness. Slowly, their closeness changes the way they see death, as if the time they have left becomes a space to truly live.
Warning:
Contains suicide, heavy themes.Synopsis:
Akito,
a talented artist who is building his dream, has to give up when a shocking
diagnosis states that he only has one year left. In the middle of his sadness,
he accidentally meets Haruna—a girl with an even shorter remaining lifespan.
However, Haruna looks incredibly calm in facing the prediction of her death.
His
curiosity about Haruna’s perspective makes Akito start approaching her without
revealing his own illness. Their relationship keeps growing stronger. Akito is
determined to make Haruna’s six months feel full and meaningful.
On
the other hand, Akito’s illness starts to get worse. His friends and family
begin to worry. But Akito still chooses to hide his condition so he can stay
with Haruna longer.
Will
Akito succeed in making their remaining lives more meaningful?
Review:
What
would you do if one day you found out that your life wouldn’t last much longer?
Drawing Closer tries to answer that simple yet painful question—that
death isn’t just an ending, but also a new way of looking at life. Adapted from
Ao Morita’s novel Yomei Ichinen to Senkoku Sareta Boku ga, Yomei Hantoshi no
Kimi to Deatta Hanashi, this film manages to deliver the essence of its
story gently and touchingly.
The
story opens with beautiful and cinematic color composition, as if expressing
the characters’ emotions in a different way, wrapped in gentle visuals that
don’t feel excessive. The meeting of two people with limited time becomes a
solid foundation for the story. The dialogue—full of contrast between reality
and emotion—shapes a relationship that slowly unfolds, as if they are opening
old wounds while discovering a closeness they never planned.
The
conflict in this film doesn’t appear as fights or big drama. Instead, the most
painful tension emerges from each character’s inner struggle. The slow pace
makes these invisible wounds feel even more real—quiet, yet pressing.
The
story’s resolution is done fairly well even though it feels a little rushed.
It’s not as strong as the emotional depth in the middle part, but it still
delivers a warm and emotional touch.
A
slight spoiler: in the closing scene when Akito’s painting is exhibited, its
execution could actually be stronger. Instead of showing the painting by
itself, it would feel more touching if someone first stood blocking the
painting—as if they were quietly admiring it—and then slowly moved aside. The
camera could then come closer to reveal the details. An approach like that
could reinforce the message being conveyed. Not significant, but it could
optimize the emotional impact.
Technically,
the actors’ performances come across very well. Their emotions feel organic,
supported by dialogue, music, color composition, and camera movement that work
together harmoniously to build the mood.
Drawing
Closer invites the audience to reflect on life with more clarity. As if
we’re asked to pause for a moment, look at ourselves, and ask: how are we
living, and how ready are we to face death—whether it’s close, or still far
away?
Memorable
Scene:
Haruna
reunites with Miura, the friend who had grown distant because of a
misunderstanding. In that short but emotional conversation, they apologize to
each other—realizing that the bond that once felt lost wasn’t really gone, just
turned into longing that had been held back for too long. The meeting brings
back their closeness in the form of warm tears.
In
life, misunderstandings often appear between people who care about each other
the most. Not because they want to hurt one another, but because the ways they
try to protect each other don’t always align. But as long as ego can be
softened, any relationship always has a chance to heal.
Memorable
Dialogue:
“I don't want to die, I want to live more.”
Ending:
Bittersweet EndingRecommendation:
Worth to Watch(Aluna)
 – Seeing Life From the Edge of Time){kind=link}
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