Like Someone in Love

Like Someone in Love

Year: 2013

Runtime: 109 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Abbas Kiarostami

Drama

In this poignant Japanese drama, a retired professor's quiet evening with a charming escort takes an unexpected turn. As they share a tender connection over cooking, music and conversation, the boundaries between client and companion blur. But when the student's jealous boyfriend enters the scene, their fragile tranquility is disrupted, revealing a complex web of regrets, missed opportunities and uncertain destinies.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Like Someone in Love (2013)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Like Someone in Love (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie doesn't specify a distinct time period, focusing instead on contemporary society. It captures the essence of modern life in Tokyo, dealing with themes of love, deception, and the societal pressures that accompany personal choices. The interactions among the characters highlight the universal struggles faced in relationships today.

Location

Tokyo

Tokyo is a vibrant metropolis known for its bustling streets, eclectic neighborhoods, and rich cultural heritage. It serves as Japan's capital and is famed for its blend of traditional and contemporary influences, offering everything from serene temples to cutting-edge technology. In this movie, the city serves as a backdrop for the contrasting lives of the main characters, reflecting the complexity of modern existence.

🏙️ City 🏮 Japan

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:46

Main Characters – Like Someone in Love (2013)
Meet the key characters of Like Someone in Love (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Akiko (Rin Takanashi)

Akiko is a sociology student who leads a double life as an escort, navigating complex emotions and societal expectations. She is portrayed as resilient yet vulnerable, struggling with the facade she has created to manage her relationships and ambitions. Her character embodies the conflicts inherent in balancing personal desires with societal norms.

🕵️‍♀️ Secretive 🎓 Ambitious 💔 Vulnerable

Noriaki (Ryō Kase)

Noriaki is Akiko’s envious boyfriend, who is blind to the full scope of her life. His character represents the themes of jealousy and insecurity, as he grapples with his assumptions about Akiko’s fidelity and intentions. His emotional volatility serves as a catalyst for conflict throughout the film.

😠 Jealousy 💔 Insecure 🎭 Complicated

Takashi (Tadashi Okuno)

Takashi is an elderly former professor whose kindness and wisdom create a stark contrast to the younger characters’ tumultuous lives. His character offers guidance and emotional support, reflecting themes of mentorship and compassion. He becomes an unexpected participant in Akiko’s complicated life, symbolizing the bridge between past and present.

👴 Wise 🤝 Compassionate ⚖️ Balanced

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:46

Major Themes – Like Someone in Love (2013)
Explore the central themes of Like Someone in Love (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌌 Duality

The theme of duality is prevalent throughout the film, as Akiko balances her life as a student and a high-end escort. This contrast illustrates the complexities of identity and choice in a modern urban setting. It explores the intricacies of personal secrets and the often-hidden layers of people's lives.

💔 Love & Trust

Love and trust are central to the narrative, showcasing the fragility of relationships as Noriaki grapples with jealousy and suspicion regarding Akiko's profession. The film delves into how misunderstandings can fracture bonds and highlights the inherent uncertainty in love.

🌀 Isolation

Despite the bustling environment of Tokyo, the characters experience profound isolation stemming from their personal struggles. Akiko's secret life creates barriers in her relationships, influencing her emotional state. This theme emphasizes how societal expectations can lead to loneliness even amidst a crowd.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:46

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