Koibitotači

Three Stories of Love alternates back and forth between the accounts of three unrelated characters including a man mourning his wife who, having been brutally murdered, has been dead for three years; a housewife who dreams of a romantic escape from her neglectful husband and mother-in-law; and a gay lawyer who, despite having a glamorous lifestyle, feels a great emptiness inside. The first character is eager for revenge, the second devotes herself to a new love, and the third decides to confess a hidden passion. But their efforts are in vain or result in seemingly ridiculous consequences. Hashiguchi appears to prefer this type of loose narrative over that of a well-constructed plot in order to reflect the vague and chaotic aspects of life. He also refuses to sympathize with or save these lonely and pitiable individuals. Instead, he embraces them with twisted humor. The film itself is a cold glass of water splashed on the myth of romantic love yet it offers consolation at the same time: Even without hope, life goes on. (Busan International Film Festival)