A woman reviews this film because the author is a man with no daughter.

The film “Bose” is a live-action adaptation of the original novel by Kanae Minato, known for her “イヤミス(Iyamisu)” mysteries that leave viewers with a bad feeling after reading. The story depicts the complex relationship between a mother who cannot love her daughter despite being loved herself and a daughter who craves love from her mother.

Filled with a somewhat stifling tension, the love and differences that unfold in a closed family are by no means strangers to each other. The film raises questions such as, “What is motherhood?” This work raises such a question in the heart of each person who sees it.

Rich acting and visual techniques express realistic emotions.

What is particularly striking about this film, “Motherhood,” is the performances of Erika Toda as the mother and Meiku Nagano as the daughter. Toda’s portrayal of the mother, Rumiko, gives the impression of being somewhat unstable without showing emotion. She plays a complex character who struggles with the darkness in her own heart. I was scared by her expressionless and disturbing presence, not knowing what she was thinking.

On the other hand, the daughter, Kiyoka, played by Nagano, delicately portrays the anguish of her mixed love/hate relationship with her mother. In particular, she beautifully embodies confusion, anger, and loneliness as her relationship with her mother gradually deteriorates. Her performance realistically reflects the instability and emotional swings characteristic of mid-teenagers, and I felt a strong sense of empathy for her while at the same time being frustrated and annoyed by her frustration.

Another significant difference between the novel and the movie is that in the movie, the addition of visual effects made it possible to feel the complex timeline where the past and present intersect. The ambiguities and differences between the memories of the mother and daughter, which could only be imagined in the novel, were expressed as a sense of visual anxiety and discomfort in the film through unique camera work and editing techniques, which was very impressive.

The emotional tone of the film is created by visual beauty and music.

One of the major attractions of this film is the beauty of the images and the unique emotional expression created by the music. Throughout the story, many dark-filtered tones and shadows emphasize the tension and anxiety between mother and daughter. The atmosphere of a closed home is projected onto the images, and I felt as if I were there, suffocating.

Music is also used sparingly but effectively, with relatively quiet piano tones and bass dissonances in the more exciting scenes highlighting the differences and anxieties between mother and daughter. However, the film does not overly inflame the emotions but instead maintains a balance with the images and leaves a lingering effect.

Women may feel as if they are watching the story from beginning to end with an unstable feeling as the complex emotions of the mother and daughter accompany them. The film’s synergy between the music and the images adds tension and emotional depth.

What is motherhood as we know it?

The theme of the work is the universal question, “What is a mother’s motherhood?

Motherhood, defined by the assumption that it is a social or cultural role inherent to mothers, may sometimes become a burden that causes differences among family members. Rather than asking myself whether I have motherhood, I felt that the sincere desire to face the child before me is called motherhood or affection.

However, there is no one-sided love or understanding and no right or wrong answer to motherhood. A mother’s love is not always unconditional; sometimes, it can be toxic parenting and a burden to the daughter. In the book, the mother’s actions and words slowly affect the daughter’s heart, and the relationship deteriorates. I was impressed by the story’s reality, which many people can relate to their own experiences.

For example, in the scene where the mother, Rumiko, treats her daughter coldly, The scene suggests the family environment in which Rumiko grew up and her emotional problems. She has her reasons and background for what she perceives as terrible behavior. In the scene where the mother and daughter’s memories differ, we are left scratching our heads as to which is true, but at the same time, the perspectives that seem “right” from each person’s point of view provide us with various insights.

The more we witness the unstable relationship and wavering love between mother and daughter, the more we may reconfirm our assumptions about motherhood’s ambiguity and multifaceted nature. The film leaves us with deep questions that are in stark contrast to the current trend of emphasizing family ties.

The film “Bosei” is a colorful depiction of the complex emotions of mothers and daughters and the love-hate relationship between family members. The compelling performances of Erika Toda as the mother, Rumiko, and Meika Nagano as the daughter, Kiyoka, powerfully move the viewer’s heart. The visually beautiful yet unsettling visuals and the understated yet effective music combine to enrich the overall worldview of the film. Fans of Kanae Minato’s original novels will also find discoveries and emotions through the film’s unique visual expressions and time-based direction. It is a work that will make you want to reflect on your family relationships and affection from the standpoint of mothers and daughters. Through this work, you will think about “What is motherhood?