The Unending Secrets that Hides at the Deep of Human Heart through Pink & Gray (J-Movie)

As soon as I came back to Hey!Say!JUMP fandom, I found out that Yuto Nakajima has stepped further into the acting industry. He is one of my favorite actors in JUMP and what makes me even happier is the fact that his debut on the big screen as the lead role in this movie: PINK & GRAY, a movie adaptation from Shigeaki Kato's novel. This novel is Shige's debut in literary work, the first Johnny talent to debut as a writer to be exact. I congratulated him on my post. I love Hey!Say!JUMP and NEWS, so there's no way I'd skip this movie since it's the combined work of my two favorite fandoms. Hmm, this preface is already longer than I plan.

It is hard not to write some spoilers because half of the movie actually contain secrets and plot twist. I don't want people who are going to watch it for the first time to lose that surprised feeling from the plot twist either. Unless you've already read the novel.

This movie is split into two colors, which represent the past and present. The one with colors (Pink) is the past, and the one in black and white (Gray) is the present. It was confusing at first but it kept you curious to watch it 'til you understand what is actually going on. 

PINK - Past

The movie begins with Rengo Shiraki, a famous actor, who was preparing to commit suicide, he leaves 6 wills letters for his childhood best friend, Daiki Kawata / Riva-chan before he died. It was already too late when Daiki came and tried to release him from the tightropes. Daiki had to choose one of the wills from Rengo. Daiki's fate seemed to hinge on this choice. Rengo had an older sister who committed suicide during her Ballet performance in front of Rengo's eyes and whether this influenced Rengo's decision to do the same thing later or not will be answered later.

Daiki and Rengo's friendship began when Daiki moved to the same apartment and became Rengo's neighbor. And together with a neighborhood girl named Sally (Kaho), the trio became the best of friends who survived turbulent years of adolescence. Daiki felt both admiration and envy towards Rengo who excels at arts and looks, and popular among ladies, especially when Daiki found himself attracted to Sally, but the girl seemed to show more affection to Rengo. One day, the two boys scouted by a model agency and started working as extras. Rengo made the leap to acting and stardom, while the less-confident Daiki stews in the apartment they share. 

Rengo aware of Daiki's insecurities, tried to help him get more jobs on his dramas or movies, but Daiki was never able to give a good performance because he felt pressured with Rengo's presence at the scene. Daiki who was desperate overlooks Rengo's help and said he didn't want to stay with the current Rengo. Rengo didn't argue and just left the apartment, while Daiki poured his anxieties and feelings into Sally. They both had never seen Rengo again for the next three years.

Three years later

The two best friends reunited at Highschool class reunion. Daiki hesitated to greet his ex-best friend who has become a big star and gained so much attention at the reunion, but Rengo approached him first, and at that very same night, they were back to become best friends, as if all of the dramas and fights a few years ago never happened. That night, while the two of them drunk and reminiscing the good old days, Rengo promised Daiki that he would exchange place with him the next day. Daiki didn't understand Rengo's words since he's drunk and forgot about it right away. The next day, Rengo asked Daiki to visit his apartment at night. Daiki was too happy to finally reconciled with Rengo. He came to Rengo's apartment that night to have some fun talk and drink just as Rengo asked him before, only to find out that Rengo has committed suicide and left him with 6 wills letters.

GRAY - Present

After Rengo's death, Daiki wrote a biography novel about him, just like what Rengo wish in one of his wills that Daiki choose. This biography novel about Rengo Shiroki has gained Daiki the popularity that he's always wanted. The novel is adapted into the movie and Daiki was asked to portray one of the three leading roles. While watching his and Rengo's story through the big screen, Daiki realized that there was something that Rengo hides from him. Why did Rengo commit suicide? Why did he leave such troublesome suicide notes? Daiki who's just got into the showbiz world also learned that everything around him is more complicated and everyone wears a mask. 

Being a star doesn't always mean happiness. Daiki realized that he doesn't understand Rengo at all, despite the fact that they were best friends since childhood, Rengo never told him what's on his mind. Struggling to come to terms with Rengo’s suicide as well as with fame he can’t really call his own, Daiki sets out to discover the truth behind his friend’s death. Daiki learned that human is such a complex creature. No one really knows about anyone else except themselves.

This movie is surprisingly heavy and confusing when I first watched it, but it kept me curious. I cried a lot too, maybe the image of Yuto secretly hides something that makes him suffer actually hurt me a little. I feel like I can relate to both Rengo and Daiki's pain to some extent, but at the same time, there are moments when I don't understand him at all. Japan is really on a different level when it comes to thriller, suspense, psychological genre. I was speechless when the movie ended. I'm also amazed by Shige as the writer of this story.

By the way, as a Hey!Say!JUMP fan who is used to see Yuto's innocent, goofy, childlike image, this movie has totally changed my perspective towards him. I always know that Yuto is a great actor but I just never expect that the day will come when he's finally taking these kinds of roles and play some adult scenes, LOL. But he's undoubtedly and arguably great in portraying these roles and it made me respect him more now. I'm glad that this movie is his first debut on the big screen.

PS: All of the gifs were taken from Tumblr and google. Feel free to message me if you want to be credited or want me to take it down. Jaa :)