Reviewed by Made in DNA (made_in_dna@hotmail.com)

Publisher: Pony Canyon Available at: J-List Cost: $50 US Video quality: Beautiful (full wide screen) "H" factor: N/A Sex: N/A Overview: An amazing autobiographical film based on the life of Ai Iiijima

In the beginning of this fictionalized account of the recently revealed hard life of famed AV actress Ai Iijima, Aoi (Ai) is saved from committing suicide by a myseterious message that is sent to her keitai (cell phone). Across town, a young man, Toshi, prepares himself to change the destiny of four youths, instead, his own is changed when he receives a reply to keitai mail he did not expect one to. If ever there was a pair of tragic star-crossed lovers since Romeo and Juliet, Ai and Toshi surely qualify.

Ai has been foresaken by her family after falling victim to several young men she thought were friends and has no place to live and no means to support herself. She wanders the lurid night streets of Tokyo selling herself just to stay alive when she meets Mr. Kanai who introduces her into the world of mizushobai (literally, 'the water business', it is a euphamism for pouring drinks and pleasing customers) hostessing where she meets the enigmatic and flamboyant Mr. Ishikawa, a man who proclaims himself to be a self-styled 'angel'.

Meanwhile, Toshi, working a deadend bartending job, has dreams of working the DJ booth, and nightmares of a school girl who appears to be floating or tumbling in a void. He eventually gets a break and puts himself wholeheartedly into his job.

Their mail-exchange relationship continues until their accidental, yet heartfelt meeting at the club where he works. It's love at first sight. The pair are on top of the world, until one of Toshi's friends discovers Ai's first adult video...

As this story is fiction, the movie itself does not concentrate on the AV idol portion of Ai Iijima's life, but on the hardship of her teenage years. This however does not at all detract from the value of the story one bit. Like for most people, her teenage years were full of angst and pain. But for her, they were also a descent into hells unimaginable by most of us; extreme debt, deception, abortion, and death.

Fantastically well cast, written, and directed, this movie also boasts an incredible soundtrack. Highly recommended to everyone, and especially for fans of Ai Iijima. If there is only one Japanese film you own this year, make it this one.

Subtitled in English for non-Japanese speakers. Great for advanced learners of Japanese.