My Sunshine – Movie Review & Film Summary

Arakawa is a former professional figure skater who now works as a coach. He was once famous enough to appear on TV and in magazines. After retiring, he coaches young skaters to nurture their talent. Recently, Arakawa moved from the city to a small town. He begins coaching Sakura, a promising girl whose mother arranged private lessons. Sakura's friend feels envious and wonders why a celebrity like Arakawa would come to such a quiet place.

Arakawa and Sakura's lessons progress smoothly. She proves to be a talented skater, benefiting from his technical guidance. While they practice at the indoor rink, their sessions catch the attention of Takuya, a young boy on the hockey team. Takuya is an average player who often gets injured during hockey practice. He becomes captivated by the grace and beauty of figure skating. Takuya watches Sakura perform with awe, drawn to the elegance of her movements.

After hockey practice, Takuya stays behind at the rink, trying to teach himself figure skating. He struggles to perform a proper twirl, but his efforts catch Arakawa's attention. Arakawa offers some pointers and gives Takuya a pair of his old skates, explaining that the right equipment is essential. Grateful for the help, Takuya practices under Arakawa's guidance and successfully performs his first twirl. Takuya is excited about his progress.

Takuya has a stammering problem when he's nervous. Yet, he exudes confidence on the skating rink. Arakawa is drawn to Takuya's enthusiasm and agrees to give him skating lessons for free. Under Arakawa's guidance, Takuya quickly picks up the techniques and enjoys every moment. However, Sakura grows uneasy as she notices her coach becoming distracted during their sessions. He seems more interested in teaching Takuya than focusing on her progress.

My Sunshine begins as an uplifting story about a young hockey player who transforms into a figure skater. It subtly challenges gender stereotypes that suggest hockey is for boys and figure skating is for girls. In one scene, the older brother asks the protagonist why he doesn't just play hockey like everyone else. Despite these preconceptions, the film celebrates his passion and talent for figure skating. Our lead feels much happier pursuing what he loves than conforming to what others expect him to do.

Besides its social commentary, My Sunshine tells a gentle coming-of-age story about a young boy finding his confidence. Takuya struggles with hockey and public speaking, but he shines when performing on the ice. He practices hard, picks himself up after every fall, and learns his techniques over time. It's inspiring to see his growth as a skater. Takuya also blossoms emotionally, becoming the sunshine of the rink. His infectious enthusiasm and childlike earnestness are sure to make viewers smile. Most of this movie is a heartwarming journey that will make you root for Takuya's success.

Coach Arakawa sees a spark in Takuya, even when others overlook him. Driven by kindness, he teaches the young boy about figure skating. The film feels emotionally profound because of Arakawa's influence on Takuya, who wouldn't have discovered his hidden potential without this mentorship. After Sakura joins the lessons, every scene radiates purity and positive vibes. Their relationship bliss feels like a rare gift because it isn't easy for three people to be in sync. I cherish the trio's happiness and want to protect them from anything that disturbs the group harmony.

Set in a small town during winter, My Sunshine contrasts the icy landscape with a movie full of warmth. It uses lighting masterfully to create a cozy ambiance. Notably, it's directed, written, filmed, and edited by Hiroshi Okuyama in an impressive solo effort. I saw a behind-the-scenes video where he skated alongside the actors while filming with a camera, which was very cool! The heartfelt performances, especially Sosuke Ikematsu's portrayal of Arakawa, strengthen the story's emotions. The two young leads dazzle during an ice-dancing routine that exudes elegance.

Arakawa is gay and has a same-sex partner. While he keeps his love life private, his sexuality becomes a focus later in the film. The couple's early exchanges are mild-mannered, but their interactions gradually become more intimate. However, romance isn't the movie's primary focus, serving as a minor subplot tied to Arakawa's backstory. From a BL perspective, the relationship scenes feel simplistic and lack depth. Igarashi's characterization also remains underdeveloped. I would've liked to see the love story receive more substance and prominence in the narrative.

Near the end, My Sunshine makes me want to cry. Arakawa and Takuya's precious joy is ruined by small-mindedness. A part of me hates this conclusion and prefers a gentler outcome, yet I realize the sad ending makes the story meaningful. In the last scene, the film cuts away before Takuya speaks to Sakura. It asks the audience, "What would you say to her?" Oh, I have a few sassy words in mind! Despite my mixed feelings about how it ends, the movie leaves a strong impression. My Sunshine is impactful since it delivers both heartwarming and heartbreaking emotions.