Plot: Teruko is stuck in a boring job, but she finds some much-needed distraction when she meets Mamoru. She falls in love with him, but Mamoru is taking things slowly. A friendship forms that blossoms into something more, but the relationship between the two remains fragile, while Teruko starts to neglect the rest of her life in favor of Mamoru.
Watches
July 19, 2025
A pleasant and cute romantic drama, but there's not quite enough to make it stand out from all the others. Teruko is an endearing lead, and the musings on modern love are interesting enough, but there have been quite a few films about this, and What Is Love? fails to differentiate itself from them.
The performances are lovely, the film looks cosy, and the mix between drama and romance is well-balanced. The 2-hour runtime is a little excessive, and the score could've had a bit more character, but if you're looking for competent filler, this film won't disappoint. It's just that there are better films doing the exact same thing out there.