This movie was a great disappointment to me. I have seen the OVA and couldn't wait to see the movie of such an interesting story..

But at the end of the movie i felt that the drawn characters in the OVA were more alive than the robots who were built to play in the "live action" version..

There was no life and no action at all..How can young people be so slow..? How are they gonna be like when they turn sixty?? I actually felt relieved when Yori started running to catch up to Iku in one scene.. Finally, some movement!

The acting was very unnatural..You should really feel and believe the things you say..And the actors in this movie just didn't. It was as if they were bored with themselves. It just didn't come off credible.. The acting was stiff and slow, everyone seemed a little drugged from sleeping pills, and it made the same effect on viewers, I'm sure.

In the beginning i didn't see Iku and Yori as a brother and sister, they were strangers from the beginning. No jealousy from Yori at the beginning, no angst, no inner struggles, regrets, passion, no deep feelings at all. It lacked blood rushing and heart throbbing what is common if you have 4 young people who in turns like, love and want each other. Even the kissing scenes made me uneasy with the lack of intimacy. there was no love or tenderness, no held back feelings or longing. Just cold, unfamiliar lips touching each other..No sparkle on anyone..Only Yano once in a while changed facial expressions, which was nice.. I don't even remember the face of Nana Eikura. But it wasn't all the actors fault..the camera is to blame to.. in a few shots the camera was shaking so hard, it seemed very amaturistic. There were no good shots of the actors faces, or zooming onto the eyes for emotions. The camera angles were boring too.

Iku was very submissive. A chauvinistic dream come true. She didn't oppose to anything. Yes she ran way once, and said she hated Yori for the things he did. But forgave him just as quick. At the end she didn't make any statement..She just was there and let the waves take her along..

Then after Yori confessed his feelings, Iku just gave in on everything, in one night!..NO Surprise, no hesitation, not even questioning anything that Yori said or did..She didn't even wanted to think about this matter, or let it sink in. But she hesitated more on Yano's proposal of a simple going out together..It doesn't make sense. Don't tell me its something "japanese". I've seen my share of movies to know that not everyone is this timid and holds back everything, all the time, everywhere, with everyone..

I thought the music was totally lacking..That little bit of guitar didn't do it for me. Since it was used for the "tender" moments between Yori and Iku and anyone else. The monotone voices and slowness of all movements, the guitar, all made this movie a long sleepy ride.. I didn't wake up at the end either..it was only natural they would come to that conclusion. The only thing i liked; Little Iku and big Iku (she was kinda big for Japanese standards, and compared to Yori) looked similar, and they did keep the incest issue safe and clean, without exploiting the youngsters. That doesn't change the fact that this movie really misses a pulse.. Watch the OVA's.

Forget what you've heard before about what this story is about. This story is about a love that is doomed in every respect, but even so is still so deep that it can not be denied.

This movie tested my patience. At certain points the movement on screen was so slow that I started to think there was something wrong with the disc player I was using. I am not a fan of 'artsy' films. I do not usually shed tears during 'emotional moments' in movies. I am not familiar with the other incarnations of this story in Japanese comic or animation form so I am judging it based only on what I saw in this film.

The ending got under my skin and made me shed tears. Due to a painfully beautiful ending I can not give this movie higher praises. Upon a 2nd viewing all the almost unbearable slowness makes sense and is actually appreciated! The acting once thought hollow now seems only reserved emotions. I found the movie to be a true experience.

I recommend that if you can bare the initial slowness to give this movie a chance and hopefully you will come away with a deeper understanding of what love is and can be. Ironically, this was an extremely moving film with the least amount of actual movement I have seen in a very long time. I am personally very thankful to have seen this film.

Beautifully underplayed and explored in a mature and realistic fashion. The relationship between brother and sister is never displayed as wrong nor right, making this an honest film which the audience can perceive in their own ways. Most will find it slow, as many will not be able to appreciate the quiet decay of something both beautiful and destructive. These quiet moments are for us to think and feel as the film progresses, an empty or closed mind will not serve this film well. Most scenes are made up of 1-3 characters discussing the events, but in a subtle and dark way. The smallest moments can have the most dramatic impact. The mother discovering a bed that's not been slept in. The smile as Yori watches Iku etc. Wonderful moments and a wonderful movie.