Can I Buy Your Love from a Vending Machine? – Movie Review

Koiwai is a soft-spoken office worker with a mild obsession: orange juice from the vending machine near his workplace. Unfortunately, his favourite drink is always out of supply. One day, he finally crosses paths with Yamashita, the vending machine attendant. Koiwai politely requests more orange juice. The friendly Yamashita agrees to restock it. While their brief exchange may seem mundane on paper, they've both made a positive first impression on each other.

True to his word, Yamashita refills the juice supply on his next visit. Koiwai is thankful. Yamashita seizes the moment to introduce himself and hand over a business card. He also scribbles in his messenger ID. Koiwai's coworker immediately picks up on the potential sparks and starts teasing him about a possible romance. That night, curiosity wins out. Koiwai stalks Yamashita's social media and eventually works up the nerve to message him. Yamashita replies warmly, but Koiwai keeps his expectations in check. As far as he's concerned, they're just being friendly.

Back at the office, Yamashita throws a curveball and asks Koiwai out for dinner. Koiwai accepts but spirals into anxious overthinking. Is it a date? Or is it just two guys grabbing food? His coworker, ever the cheerleader, pushes him to stop worrying. She advises him to just relax and enjoy the evening. Maybe you'll make a new friend. Or perhaps you'll become something more. Koiwai tries to calm his nerves and not let his expectations get out of hand. Secretly, he's hopeful about getting to know Yamashita better.

When Koiwai and Yamashita meet for dinner, the conversation flows easily. They bond over their shared interests, including books and movies. Koiwai is also pleasantly surprised to find out they're closer in age than he thought. Koiwai is 32, Yamashita is 28, and the age gap between them is more manageable than Koiwai assumed. Despite the easygoing rapport between them, there hasn't been any romantic interaction. Koiwai feels uncertain whether this is just a friendly meal or potentially something more.

As the night winds down, Yamashita seems genuinely interested and even proposes another meal. However, Koiwai finds himself gripped by fresh nerves. On the walk home, his thoughts race. He doesn't want to send mixed signals or get caught in a misunderstanding. So, he makes a choice. Koiwai tells Yamashita that he's gay. It's not a dramatic confession, but it's a quiet moment of honesty. If they keep seeing each other, Koiwai wants to make his feelings known. Now, he awaits Yamashita's response.

Can I Buy Your Love from a Vending Machine is like BL for socially awkward people. In many love stories, the leads exude charisma and stride through each scene with natural confidence. This film takes the opposite route. The protagonist is shy, soft-spoken, and constantly second-guessing himself. He needs to psych himself up in front of a mirror just to make small talk. Afterward, he'll replay the entire exchange in his head and scrutinize every moment. For all the introverts out there, his struggles may feel deeply relatable.

I like Koiwai's character because he's a little neurotic. He keeps his composure around others. But as soon as he's alone, Koiwai is undone by his nerves. Even sending a text message causes him to spiral into overthinking. Honestly? Me too. 😅 I often experience second-hand social anxiety due to Koiwai's awkwardness around Yamashita. When he's stressed or panicking in some situations, I feel the same way. Much of the movie's tension comes from Koiwai's self-doubt. No one gives him a hard time, but his worst enemy is himself. He keeps pushing away Yamashita due to his fears of mishandling their relationship.

Yamashita is also a mild-mannered introvert with a reserved personality. While he's slightly more assertive than his love interest, Yamashita still has moments of self-consciousness. What makes this relationship fascinating is how both leads slowly overcome their nerves and build a connection. Their early interactions may seem awkward. When making small talk, they speak to each other like polite strangers. Thankfully, they start to relax over time. I enjoy watching the couple's journey as they feel more comfortable and express their feelings openly.

Koiwai's actor (Ryo Matsuda) does a great job conveying his character's inner spiral. Much of the film relies on his ability to make self-doubt feel compelling, which he executes well. However, Can I Buy Your Love from a Vending Machine is a heavily introspective movie. It includes multiple scenes where Koiwai talks to himself or mulls over his thoughts. As a passive character, he rarely takes initiative, so the story feels slow and uneventful. The relationship drifts along without much urgency, and large portions of the film pass without any real breakthrough.

Besides a few exaggerated moments played for comedic effect, this movie remains down-to-earth. In one scene, the leads walk down an empty road late at night. They chat under streetlights as a shaky handheld camera follows them. I love the authentic atmosphere, almost like we're bystanders watching their quiet connection unfold. However, Koiwai's conversations with Yamashita are often too ordinary. As they discuss various mundane topics, it feels like I'm stuck overhearing a very average first date: polite, meandering, and not particularly memorable.

Can I Buy Your Love from a Vending Machine has a happy ending. After resolving a minor misunderstanding, the characters learn to express their feelings better. While this sweet conclusion makes me smile, I still feel a bit underwhelmed. The story never explores its themes too deeply, and the romance doesn't develop with much momentum. Compared to more memorable BL dramas, it fails to stand out or leave a lasting impression. Overall, Can I Buy Your Love from a Vending Machine is a pleasant movie, but I don't feel excited enough to recommend it.