I like how it builds the strange atmosphere of this vague and mysterious psychological thriller which is just felt like I'm reading the words from the novel myself, thanks to the colors, the sound and its scoring. However, as it departs from the original story, it cannot manage to being mysterious which kind of ruining the whole film with its unnecessary disjointed extension.

Is this a romantic comedy before the all sex-oriented romcom era?

One star, wondering if it is because I saw it after a great film. Or couldn't care less anyway.

Apparently one of the best films I've seen in 2012 is not from 2012. One of the most outstanding animation work I've ever seen, Oshii's beautiful symbolic writing and exhaustive realization by Okiura.
It's been a long time since I cried over the end of a film, and then muted.