The Last 10 Years is a heart-wrenching Japanese drama that follows the story of Takabayashi Matsuri, a young woman who is diagnosed with an incurable disease. The movie is an adaptation of a novel with the same title written by Ruka Kosaka and published in 2007. Takabayashi receives the news that she has only 10 years left to live, and she decides to live without worrying too much about the future, even avoiding falling in love. However, things take a different turn when she meets Manabe Kazuto at her high school reunion. Here is a detailed synopsis of the movie.
The movie is set in the year 2013 when Matsuri, who is just 20 years old, is diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension. This diagnosis forces her to drop out of college and undergo long-term therapy. Two years later, Matsuri leaves the hospital, but she still has to undergo regular check-ups. She is reunited with three close friends from college, which brings joy to her life. After the reunion, Sanae, one of her friends, offers Matsuri a job as a writer in her company, stating that she misses Matsuri’s writing.
A few days later, Matsuri receives an invitation to her high school reunion event. While standing at the entrance, she runs into Manabe Kazuto, and she tries her best to recall how she knows him. The reunion is lively, and Matsuri enjoys every moment of it. At the climax of the event, Takeru, another friend from high school, opens a box containing letters they wrote to each other while in school.
On a different day, Matsuri tries to attend a job interview, but things do not go as planned, and she performs poorly. While contemplating her situation, Takeru calls her and informs her that Kazuto tried to commit suicide and asks her to visit him in the hospital. Initially, Matsuri is irritated by Kazuto’s reason for attempting suicide, but she later softens up towards him. Matsuri forms a close bond with Kazuto and Takeru, and Sanae eventually joins the group. They spend most of their time together, and Sanae and Takeru even start a romantic relationship.
In 2016, Matsuri is both happy and sad, especially when people start talking about her situation. Nevertheless, she still meets her friends, Sanae, Takeru, and Kazuto. On a particular day, Kazuto professed his love for Matsuri, but she refused to return his affection and left without a clear explanation. The following day, Kazuto tries to meet with her to clarify things, but they end up arguing. As Matsuri walks away, she collapses and is rushed to the hospital. There, Kazuto meets Matsuri’s father and realizes the depth of her situation. Matsuri explains to Kazuto that she doesn’t want to have anything more than just a friendship with him due to her diagnosis.
Afterward, Matsuri tries to meet up with her college friend, but her sister advises her to seek treatment at a different facility. Matsuri declines the offer, even though it is clear that her family is worried about her condition. She walks away, trying to calm herself down and eventually breaks down in tears. Meanwhile, Kazuto reflects on his life and the choices he has made so far. He is reminded by Gen, his boss at work, to focus on what he wants in life. Kazuto rushes out and begins searching for Matsuri. Eventually, he finds her near a train station heading home, and he proclaims his love for her. This time, Matsuri accepts Kazuto’s proposal, and they begin a romantic journey together.
In conclusion, The Last 10 Years is a touching drama that centers around hope, love, and the power of human relationships. It follows the story of a young woman dealing with a terminal illness and how she manages the final years of her life. The movie is superbly written, and the acting is impressive, particularly Nana Komatsu, who plays the lead character, Matsuri. If you are a fan of emotional dramas with a hint of romance, then The Last 10 Years should be on your watchlist.
