In Love and Deep Water Review (Netflix) A romantic detective film with a mismatched combination that falls apart!

In Love and Deep Water A Japanese original Netflix film. On a luxurious cruise ship in the middle of the sea, a virtuous butler and a mysterious young woman attempt to investigate a murder that occurs on the ship. Meanwhile, both of them start to develop feelings for each other.

In Love and Deep Water Review (No spoilers)

The film, written by Yûji Sakamoto, known for his work on the acclaimed Japanese movie ‘Monster‘ this year, stands out with its excellent script details. Sakamoto, who has a reputation for creating intriguing narratives, brings his talents to a mysterious murder investigation on a luxurious cruise ship. The film immediately becomes captivating as he explores how he can make it unique, particularly by incorporating a central theme of love into the storyline. However, this mix turns out to be a flawed element

The movie begins by introducing the character Suguru, a butler who tirelessly ensures the satisfaction of every guest on the ship, no matter how challenging it may be (the customer is God). Before unveiling the mysterious female character, Jizuru, who brings distressing news that Suguru’s girlfriend is cheating on him—with none other than her own boyfriend. However, the ship departs, leaving them stranded, and they must confront another murder case involving a drowned wealthy individual on board. Each witness refuses to speak the truth, forcing the duo to delve deeper into the investigation. Meanwhile, their relationship evolves closer to love with each passing moment

Although the romantic plot may sound like a well-integrated mix, the main issue with this film lies in its seemingly directionless narrative. Starting off as a detective story in the beginning, it quickly transforms into an extended love affair between the protagonists. The film then introduces the romantic relationships of other characters on the ship, each with peculiar reasons. The movie heavily leans into the theme of love, with occasional detective scenes, but it fails to provide a complex investigation. The identity of the culprit is revealed early on, leaving the investigation rather dull and straightforward. The motivations are also clear from the start, making the investigative part lack depth. as seen in scenes where characters are supposed to be investigating a death but end up taking couple photos instead. While the film may attempt to inject humor, it falls short and fails to elicit any genuine laughter. Overall, the film disappoints, as it fails to effectively blend the genres of romance, mystery, and comedy, leaving viewers feeling quite let down.

However, the movie is not without its merits. The ending of the film takes an unexpected turn by completely abandoning the murder investigation storyline, which works well for viewers who appreciate unconventional twists. On the flip side, this is executed in a somewhat unbelievable manner, despite attempts to provide supporting reasons. The film leaves viewers with a sense that the explanation falls short of being entirely satisfactory.

Another positive aspect that contributes to the film’s appeal is the charming portrayal of the two protagonists by Ryô Yoshizawa and Aoi Miyazaki . Both actors exhibit delightful chemistry, and their characters’ conflicting love dynamic adds a touch of romantic comedy. The duo effectively carries the film, compensating for the shortcomings of the less-than-ideal script.

In summary, it’s a detective-romantic film where both aspects are poorly blended. The script places the love story at the wrong time, making the investigation scenes feel light and not addressing the expectations of viewers in this genre. Even though the ending attempts a major twist, it becomes too convoluted and lacks any rationale. However, if you’re a fan of both actors, I would still recommend watching it because they are the ones who salvage the entire film.

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