While You Were Skating
I mean, imagine every romcom trope stitched together and that’s the movie.
The new movie “While You Were Skating” hit Acme theaters last week just in time for the Winter Festival season, and boy, does it take the winter rom-com trope to the next level. I mean, imagine every romcom trope stitched together and that’s the movie. The big city boy, Daichi (played by Mikasa Izumi from the “Kiss of the Spider” franchise), returns to his roots in a rural country town, reuniting with his childhood best friend, Willow (played by rising star, Gracie Lou).
After arriving back in his hometown, Daichi accidentally wanders onto a skating rink and bumps into Willow. He clumsily falls into her arms for their little "meet-cute". Over the next week, they reignite their connection. It's like no time has passed for either of them.
A few days later, they’re skating down the Grand River, when they run into Willow’s -- *gasp* -- fiancé, Chad! Chad’s a complete jerk (because of course he is). Daichi is even more dismayed to find out their wedding is only a couple days away… the day of the Winter Festival (for maximum drama, I guess…)!
Daichi watches Willow walk away with Chad. Just then, he receives an urgent call from work and he’s needed back in the city ASAP. A dejected Daichi returns to the city. While in the middle of giving an important presentation, Daichi notices a skating rink outside the office window (how convenient). Watching the skaters, he remembers his time with Willow. Right then and there, he realizes he’s in love with her! Daichi looks around the room, and quits.
By now, the wedding is today, so Daichi hops on a train and rushes back to the town. He runs to the chapel, and peaks through the windows to see Chad and Willow at the altar! Daichi swings open the doors at the “I dos”. Willow runs off the altar and leaps into Daichi’s arms. After all, she has always loved him (sorry, Chad)!
Daichi takes Willow’s hand and they run back to the skating rink where they first met. Daichi kneels down and proposes to her. To no one’s surprise, Willow accepts and the two skate off into the sunset. THE END.
You know, ever since the Smash-Up, studios have been cranking out these cheerful trope-filled movies to make everyone forget that we’ve been reduced to nothing but a tiny fragment of Earth floating in the void. And that’s especially true during the winter festival season. People just want to enjoy the hot chocolate and the tree decorating and the presents, and blah blah blah. But we can’t forget about our friends and family who are still lost with the rest of Earth. A cheesy romcom’s not going to help us find them. Call me a cynic.
Overall, I give “While You Were Skating” an unsurprising 2/10 stars. It’s predictable and contrived, but no one can deny the chemistry between Mikasa and Gracie. They really sell their characters. It’s just a shame they weren’t given a better script.
