Watch Bad Poetry Tokyo

Bad Poetry Tokyo is a 2018 Japanese indie film that explores the themes of love, loneliness, and the search for human connection in a bustling city. Starring Nana Blank, Kento Furukoshi, and Shuna Iijima, the film tells the story of a young American woman named Marie who moves to Tokyo to escape the pain of a recent break-up. She begins working in a small bookstore in the city and soon becomes involved with two Japanese men: A poet named Takashi and a mysterious businessman named Satoshi.

The film's director, Anshul Chauhan, uses the setting of Tokyo to great effect, showcasing the city's sprawling metropolis and its many contradictions. The film's characters often find themselves lost in Tokyo's labyrinthine streets, struggling to connect with one another and make sense of their own inner turmoil.

One of the film's central themes is the nature of language and communication. Marie, as an American in Japan, struggles to express herself in Japanese, while the Japanese characters often grapple with English. But even when language isn't a barrier, the characters still find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings to one another. This is particularly true of Takashi, who is a talented poet but struggles to connect with people on a deeper emotional level.

At its core, Bad Poetry Tokyo is a character study, exploring the inner lives of its three main characters. Marie is a complex and compelling protagonist, whose pain and vulnerability are palpable throughout the film. Kento Furukoshi's Takashi is a tortured soul, whose artistic talent is both a blessing and a curse. And Shuna Iijima's Satoshi is a fascinating enigma, whose motivations and true feelings remain shrouded in mystery for much of the film.

The film's pacing is deliberate and measured, with long stretches of quiet introspection punctuated by moments of intensity and emotion. The cinematography is beautiful, with the film's nighttime sequences in particular creating a sense of dreamlike beauty that contrasts with the characters' harsh reality.

One of the film's chief strengths is its refusal to offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. The characters' journeys are messy and non-linear, with moments of profound connection and joy often followed by periods of heartbreak and isolation. But even in the midst of their struggles, the characters never lose their humanity or their capacity for hope.

Overall, Bad Poetry Tokyo is a powerful and haunting film that explores the complex nature of love and isolation in a vast and impersonal world. It is a testament to the power of independent filmmaking and a must-see for anyone interested in art that challenges and provokes.

Bad Poetry Tokyo is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.