First Love
Director: Takashi Miike
Actors: Becky, Bengal, Masayuki Deai
PlotLeo, a young, stoic boxer with a bleak outlook on life, unexpectedly discovers he has a terminal illness. His life takes a sudden turn when he crosses paths with Monica, a troubled young woman ensnared in the seedy world of drug trafficking and prostitution due to her father's debts. When a cunning yet desperate low-level Yakuza named Kase devises a risky plan to steal drugs and frame Monica for the theft, coincidences bring Leo and Monica together. Leo unintentionally becomes her protector after saving her from harm during a chaotic altercation involving corrupt cops and rival gang members.
As they navigate the dark underbelly of Tokyo, Leo and Monica grow closer, each finding a sense of purpose and connection that had eluded them before. While pursued by dangerous criminals including the vengeful Yakuza and paranoid conspirators, they fight to stay alive amidst growing chaos. Their journey through nocturnal streets becomes a whirlwind of incidents and alliances, leading both to confront their pasts and question their futures in a single night of relentless danger and fleeting hopes.
Writers: Masa Nakamura
Release Date: 14 Feb 2020
Runtime: 108 min
Rating: TV-MA
Country: Japan, United Kingdom
Language: Japanese, Mandarin
Home Video Reviews
First Love is a wildly offbeat, humor-filled yakuza adventure with solid technical merits, strongly recommended for fans of Takashi Miike's unique style.
Read our review of First Love Blu-ray 初恋 Hatsukoi to find out more