Things I watched: Josee, the Tiger and the Fish – A meh comedy about off-beat youngsters

Sometimes a movie appears on my and I have literally no idea where it came from. That’s what happened with this one, Josee, The Tiger and the Fish. It’s a Japanese romantic comedy from 2003. It’s also not very good and I’m left wondering if I meant to watch the animated remake instead...

The story focus on a boisterous student called Tsuneo who befriends a girl, Josee, who has an unfortunate physical health condition. Early parts show their unconventional friendship develop. Things happens like Tsuneo really enjoying her cooking and gifting Josee books she can’t get hold of herself. This then transcends into a romance, but not before Tsuneo has to work out if he likes Josee or a more conventionally attractive student better. It feels oddly misogynistic in a way because it never explains why Tsuneo is such a catch for the two women. Apparently He. Just. Is.

Sadly, very little caught my attention except a constant desire to know where the plot was going. As one reviewer on IMDB said, it often seems like the movie is circling around a lot of interesting themes but never delves into them. This was my feeling too and there’s a moment towards the end that sums it up – where Josee talks about being discarded by society because of her condition. It’s a great talking point but just cuts to a new scene entirely and is never mentioned again. Oh well.

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