If you want to read my review of In the City of Dawn, also known as Before Sunrise, read this post. In 夜明けの街で, Watabe Kazuya started an relationship outside marriage with his co-worker, Nakanishi Akiba. In addition to having to balance his double life, he found out that she is the main suspect in the murder of her father’s ex-lover.
Watanabe Kazuya (Gorô Kishitani) is a salaryman, married to Watanabe Yumiko (Tae Kimura) and the father of a 4-year-old girl. He tried to avoid it. But, he ended up involved in a warm loving relationship with his subordinate.
“A guy cheating on his wife is a fool, I used to think. But, sometimes, you’re compelled by circumstances.”
Nakanishi Akiha (Kyôko Fukada) is in the first week of work at the company and accidentally spoils her boss’ jacket. To reward him, she invites him to dinner.
“I hadn’t been so entertained in a long while. Let’s do it again anytime.”
Akiha tries to reward Watabe for throwing up on his jacket. Initially, the apology did not go as expected. However, after a few tries, they hit it off, went surfing at Shiona Beach, and from there an involved and complicated extramarital relationship began.
In the City of Dawn: japanese movie review
Akiha takes everything very seriously. She doesn’t like to pay lip service to things. So it was a matter of honor to do something for Watabe that he would accept as an apology. The planned program was to go to the beach. However, the bad weather made them opt for a snack and a conversation at her aunt’s bar..
“But if I just apologize, it’s not hard enough for me.”
Although, at first, Akiha and Watabe don’t get along very well, before long, they begin to feel quite comfortable with each other. Gradually wanting to spend more time together.
“Would you be free a little longer?”
Unlike Watabe, who was the typical Japanese salaryman with a family waiting at home and recurring social events with co-workers, Akiha had a strange relationship with her father, a mysterious family background and a financial condition, to his surprise, very good.
Watabe tried. However, he couldn’t resist Akiha’s onslaught. Not knowing how to proceed at work and, more importantly, at home, where he had a wonderful wife waiting every night.
“A one time cheating, when it looks like it’s gonna last, is a love affair.”
At first, Watabe didn’t approve of his own behavior, even if it was a superficial pursuit of pleasure. Afterwards, he realized how big the problem was. What was a futile pursuit of fun has turned into an intense passion.
“This is hell. A hell of sweetness. Even if one wants to chicken out, the demon inside won’t allow it.”
Watabe knew he was jeopardizing the happiness he had already achieved in life with his family. However, he made an even worse mistake. In addition to having cheated on his great and loving wife, he fell head over heels in love with his mistress.
Now, the big question is: how long will this love last? Until when will Watabe be able to manage his marriage with Yumiko, be present in little Sonomi’s life and enjoy the extramarital relationship with Akiha, without losing everything and ending up with nothing.
Reviewing In the City of Dawn: out of wedlock affair
Of course, there is no marital betrayal only in Japan. However, 夜明けの街で addresses one of the strangest features of Japanese society for me. After the birth of children, Japanese men begins to see the woman only as a mother.
They even start referring to each other as Mom and Dad, leaving all passion and sexual desire aside. It seems that marriage is about the social standard and not about having the one you love and want around for as long as possible.
The wife will take care of the house and the children while the husband will work indefinite hours and then socialize late with his work friends, making room for betrayal on both sides. The woman for wanting to be sexually desired and the man for being open to opportunities that may arise on the street.
Why you should watch In the City of Dawn
I won’t leave In the City of Dawn ending explained or a download link here, but If you’re thinking that this Japanese movie is just another romance about betrayal, remember that this is Japanese cinema we were talking about. Of course, at the end there’s a plot twist that will blow your mind.
Still about betrayal, one thing I learned in this movie is that: it doesn’t matter what kind of problem you’re facing in the relationship. Whichever path you choose, the quicker the completion, the lighter the pain you’ll inflict on others and yourself.
I really feel that you will like this one. So I decided to do this Yoake no machi de review. Go ahead, immerse yourself in the story, the environment and the soundtrack.
And come back later to tell me what you think in the comments. This was one of the most realistic Japanese movies about cheating in a relationship I’ve seen.
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