Kakera: A Piece of Our Life (2009) | Region-Free (Blu-ray)

Title: Kakera: A Piece of Our Life (2009)

Alternate Title: カケラ (Kakera)

Genre: Romance, Drama

Plot Synopsis:
Haru, a college student, feels neglected by her unfaithful boyfriend yet remains uncertain about ending the relationship. One day, she meets Riko, a confident and open-minded medical artist who creates prosthetic body parts. As their friendship deepens, Haru finds herself drawn into a complex relationship with Riko, leading her to question her feelings and desires.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Momoko Ando
• Writer: Momoko Ando
• Cast:
  • Hikari Mitsushima as Haru
  • Eriko Nakamura as Riko
  • Ken Mitsuishi as Haru’s Boyfriend
  • Tasuku Nagaoka as Riko’s Ex
  • Rino Katase as Riko’s Mother

YouTube Trailer:
Kakera: A Piece of Our Life | Trailer

IMDb Link:
Kakera: A Piece of Our Life (2009)

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. ButtNugget – ★★★½
   “It took me one glance at the poster to know it’s a film I must see at once. It’s not everyday you come across promotional material with such risqué imagery. It sends out signals of provocation, intrigue, and whimsy in equal measure. Plus I see Hikari Mitsushima, the actress who made a splash in cinephile circles for her role in Love Exposure. She is an absolute riot. She also has an oddball quality making her perfect for unconventional relationships. So there is no surprise to see her play another offbeat character in Momoko Ando’s A Piece of Our Life, a quirky but poignant dramedy about young people lost in love.”
2. Bopp – ★★★★
   “Momoko Ando’s debut isn’t half as good as her colossal three-hour masterpiece and sophomore effort 0.5 mm, but I would have been foolish to expect it to reach those same heights. Ironically, I think what holds Kakera back from greatness is its runtime. Films of this nature are rarely over two hours, but I think this could easily have been three with the way Momoko Ando directs the two leads’ relationship. It’s a very good film, but it could have been a great one.”
3. jonbcy – ★★★
   “Wasn’t a fan of the sexual violence nor of the confusing diegetic sound. The possessiveness and manipulativeness of Riko as the film went on was developed in an absorbing way over frequent meetings and texts. The idea of there being a ‘missing piece’ in someone’s life was interesting, but I felt the film could have explored it further.”

Meta Description:
“Kakera: A Piece of Our Life” (2009), directed by Momoko Ando, is a Japanese romance drama that explores the evolving relationship between a college student and a bisexual medical artist, delving into themes of love, identity, and self-discovery.