I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a heart-rending drama about love and life’s mortality. While it's not exactly an original premise, the film’s sincerity and earnestness will win audiences over.
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Adapted from author Yoru Sumino’s novel of the same name, I Want To Eat Your Pancreas is a teen melodrama about the close friendship between bubbly Sakura Yamauchi and anti-social introvert Haruki Shiga.
The two first meet at the hospital where Sakura has left behind her diary, which is picked up by Haruki, who discovers, upon reading the diary, that Sakura is suffering from pancreatic cancer and only has limited time left on earth. Piqued by his unusually non-committal response to her cancer, Sakura finds herself attracted to Haruki and his way of being. On the other hand, Haruki, who prefers to be left alone to read his books, finds Sakura a little more than a nuisance. Their personalities are polar opposites.
But, naturally, Haruki slowly softens up and falls for Sakura’s charms, yet the movie does not tread in the footsteps of more conventional romances. Haruki and Sakura do not fall head over heels over each other. Despite the affections they share, they choose to remain friends, although their relationship actually exists between the liminal space between friendship and romance. The movie offers something more profound than most romantic boy-meets-girl movies.
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is beautifully drawn. Great attention to details has been put into the surroundings and environment. Outdoor sun-soaked scenes of cherry blossoms are especially gorgeous to look at. The film’s visual beauty complements the film’s uplifting tone and life-affirming message. Despite its horror film sounding title, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is, in fact, a heartrending drama about love and life’s mortality. While not exactly an original premise, the film’s sincerity and earnestness will win audiences over.
A warning: Get your tissues ready.
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