NR | 1h 59m | Drama | 2024
Movies have an unparalleled ability to explore societal issues in ways that feel organic. They avoid the dryness often associated with textbook-style presentations or documentaries. Through the lens of thoughtfully crafted characters, films can convey important messages while remaining captivating and relatable.
“All the Long Nights,” adapted from Japanese author Maiko Seo’s novel weaves a moving tale of two young adults navigating lives upended by debilitating disorders. These challenges have profoundly disrupted their natural growth into adulthood, affecting their personal relationships and career aspirations in equal measure.
Dealing with Life’s Challenges
We first encounter Misa Fujisawa (Mone Kamishiraishi) sitting on a rain-soaked bus bench, her voice narrating the dreary scene. She speaks candidly about her anguish, self-loathing, and sense of alienation, all stemming from the episodes of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is called “acute PMS,” premenstrual syndrome, in the movie. These dominate her life. Her symptoms are so severe that she collapses and is spirited off by emergency workers. Although she recovers, this is a powerful introduction to the physical and emotional toll of her disorder.Her mother, Noriko (Ryo), is a caring yet overwhelmed figure, attempting to support Misa in the only ways she knows—sending a steady stream of care packages and making daily check-in calls. While well-meaning, these gestures hint at the difficulty of addressing Misa’s complex needs, leaving both mother and daughter yearning for more effective solutions.
Misa’s PMDD episodes also take a toll on her professional life. After an impulsive tirade at a coworker, she resigns from her job in shame, retreating further into self-recrimination. Years later, she finds employment at a new office, where her colleagues are more understanding. To navigate her social challenges, Misa adopts the habit of buying snacks for her coworkers after experiencing an episode, her thoughtful way of apologizing.
At this new workplace, she meets Takatoshi Yamazoe (Hokuto Matsumura), a reserved young man sidelined by debilitating panic attacks. Relegated to menial tasks, Takatoshi quietly wrestles with frustration over his stalled ambitions. As Misa and Takatoshi bond over their shared struggles, their connection grows into a tender relationship as they navigate their challenges and the pressures swirling around them.
A Gradual, Natural Odyssey—Together
The relationship between Misa and Takatoshi unfolds with quiet grace, starting as a clashing juxtaposition and evolving into a mutually affirming contrast. Misa’s outgoing nature is tempered by the unpredictability of her disorder, which causes her to lash out at times, while Takatoshi’s reserved demeanor masks his struggles. Yet through shared vulnerability and gradual self-disclosure, they bridge the gap between their differences, finding solace in each other.
Director Miyake approaches the story with understated confidence, avoiding theatricality to focus on the quiet intricacies of human relationships. The film’s resonance comes from its careful portrayal of the small, everyday interactions that shape people’s connections. Mone Kamishiraishi and Hokuto Matsumura deliver performances filled with authenticity, breathing life into their characters’ struggles and small victories.
“All the Long Nights” unfolds as a thoughtful reflection on resilience and companionship. Its contemplative tone captures the intersection of vulnerability and strength, revealing moments of beauty within life’s various challenges that we all face. Gentle yet deeply resonant, the film lingers in the mind like a quiet whisper from the stars.
