A popular manga artist, Shinji Izumoto (Tomohisa Yamashita), begins to experience headaches, possibly due to long hours working on his series “Only for You”. With the series due to be turned into a major film and Shinji’s fortunes on the rise, tragedy strikes when he his blinded by an illness. With the series on hiatus, one of his fans, a deaf woman, Hibiki Aida (Yuko Araki), sets out to find him. After a difficult initial encounter these two fall in love and begin a relationship. But more trouble lies ahead as an admirer of Hibiki’s (Mahiro Takasugi) has his sights set on her; and Shinji’s condition turns out to be more serious that first thought.
Based on a Korean web manga, “See Hear Love” is a stylish romantic drama that tugs at the heartstrings, with the tried and tested formula of love and tragedy. Both Shinji and Hibiki are sympathetic characters and we see a little of their struggles, but their relationship also develops into something beyond their shared experience with disabilities. Tomohisa Yamashita captures the frustration of the artist becoming blind, his despair matched only by his determination when he meets Hibiki; while Yuko Araki’s expressive performance makes her likeable and relatable despite uttering very few words. The two create a couple who are likeable and sympathetic with Shinji’s desire to complete his manga, and Hibiki’s strong-willed support for him and help in overcoming his loss of sight. This relationship is the backbone of the film and an emotional rollercoaster. The film also features a subplot involving the attempts of another man to steal Hibiki away from Shinji and this is where things come a little off the rails. The supporting cast involved in these seem to be acting in a completely different movie, and every time it intrudes in the main narrative it is mostly superfluous comic relief. It ties in to the story as things progress, but for the most part it feels like a separate slapstic romantic comedy has been spliced into this heartwarming central plot. That aside, there is enough to recommend the film that this tonal inconsistancy can be largely shrugged off. In a film focusing on both a loss of sight and hearing, the film’s visuals and score are beautiful, emphasising the value both main characters put on these senses. John H. Lee’s crisp direction and glossy cinematography bring a Christmas-card sentimentality to the film; while the score, by Joon-tai Kim and Jae-Hyuk Seo, featuring classical guitar, piano and strings, and a swelling emotional theme, is in the best traditions of the blockbuster tragi-romance.
“See Hear Love” is self-aware enough to recognize that the circumstances of the plot are entirely intended to provoke sympathy. Shinji’s own manga is in this same genre and there is discussion of the overuse of tragic clichés employed to such effect. We feel instant sympathy for Shinji and Hibiki due to their situation, but neither demand pity, both being wilful, intelligent and strong individuals. They do not feel their disabilities, remaining alert to the world around them. The beauty in their relationship is the focus on togetherness and both physical and emotional proximity. Unable to see or hear, instead the most important quality they offer one another is simply being there. A second subplot concerns Shinji’s attempts to see his artistic vision honoured, while his publisher attempts to force a crass, melodramatic ending to his series. Shinji’s belief in the power of love to transform lives and to overcome all obstacles provides the strength he needs to continue. A sentimental love story that creates a unique couple in Shinji and Hibiki. Despite some lurches into cliché itself, the film presents an intelligent look at both disability and romance in the modern era.