A beautifully-shot introspection on love and passion
Queer adaptations are all the rage now, highlighting just how important it is to tell stories that can be relatable to all types of viewers. Look at just how successful the ongoing Canadian show, Heated Rivalry has gotten to the point that even HBO has acquired it. Not to be outdone, Netflix shows its hand with the Japanese movie 10Dance, based on the BL (Boy Love) manga of the same name.
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10Dance follows two Japanese dancers, champions in their respective fields and a new challenge that they take up. With close ties to Cuba, the passionate Suzuki Shinya (portrayed by Takeuchi Ryoma) and his partner, Aki tear up the dance floor when it comes to Latin dances. However, they have never aimed higher, content to participate on a national level.
On the other end is his rival who even has a similar name, Sugiki Shinya (portrayed by Machida Keita). He is an extremely ambitious man who has been learning ballroom dances since he was a kid. His partner, Fusako is trying her best. But his mentor believes he just may have to retire without winning the world championship as his performances are loveless.
Wanting to prove everyone wrong, Sugiki approaches Suzuki with a deal. The men and their dance partners are to teach each other their dance styles so they can compete in the championship of all championships – 10 Dance.
10 Dance is a dance competition that crowns a man-woman dancing duo who excels in 5 types of Latin dances AND 5 types of ballroom dances.
As one can predict without even watching the movie, 10Dance is as much about dance as it is about passion, love and control. Like the two types of dances, Suzuki and Sugiki are opposites sides of the same coin. Ballroom is all about control while Latin dances are passionate.
But what makes this movie such a thrill to watch is that it not only has a strong script and captivating performances, but it is also beautifully made.
Each element ties to the story and elevates it. The lighting and the camerawork are sensual even when the scenes are not in a ballroom hall or studio. It also divies up the technical style depending on the character and their current turmoil.
For Sugiki, a ballroom dancer who relies on elegance and control, he gets the spotlight, or warm, gold backlights that highlight his form. For Suzuki, who is energetic and open about his passion, he’s either bathed in neon lights or has scenes in the daytime with bright light flooding the room. There are also handheld shots, representing Suzuki’s energy, the way he goes about in life, embodying the Latin music that he loves so much.
In terms of art direction, Suzuki’s world is similarly depicted. With a kind of community living, the people in his life share emotions, food, dance, fears and desires. Everything is out in the open, including their homes and hangout spots. Suzuki’s dance studio is an open space, full of light. And in such spaces, he bares his soul, not embarrassed of his passions.
In comparison, the closed-off Sugiki hangs to control with rigid, royal restaurants, suffocating ballrooms and dressing rooms. His dance studio has harsh lines, boundaries and glass, representing restrain. There is barely any light as well, whether it is the low lighting or the late night practices with Suzuki where he dare not lose control.
Cinephiles who love their analysis will also have a field day with all the mirroring and reflective symbolisms. The studio mirrors during their practice, either double down on what they are feeling, or hide their trueselves. In fact, right at the start, even though it is a mastershot of the two characters, the controlling Sugiki’s reflection overlaps the relaxed Suzuki, foreshadowing their dynamic.
Of course, for a movie that’s about dance, don’t be surprised by just how important the music is. It is again used to highlight the duality of our two protagonists. Initially, there’s a scene where Suzuki is practising ballroom and yet the music playing is Latin, moombahton, as if he cannot let go of that side of him no matter how much Sugiki tries.
The music like ‘Besame Mucho’ or Chopin’s ‘Minute Waltz’ is carefully chosen, even for the performances or practices, representing either their love or conflict. But 10Dance is not a musical. We aren’t bombarded with songs after songs. Silence makes itself known when emotions are high.
The film keeps a relaxed pace, and in turn, it does miss a lot of key moments that manga fans may have wanted to see. But it ensures that the protagonists are fleshed out and their dilemmas over passion, love and control are evident.
What works for 10Dance is that it makes heavy use of the “show, don’t tell” trope. Instead of overt dialogues, a lot is left to interpretation. The direction, the camera work, the dance, the teaching, it mimics sex, the characters’ closeness even though it’s far from it on their minds.
We can visually see when the characters have some kind of epiphany. Which is also thanks to the actors and their nuanced performances. From the tremble of their hands to microexpressions, the emotions are clear. Their different dance forms represent their personalities and do most of the talking.
Obviously, the actors also deserve their flowers for their painstaking dance performances. Whether it is Takeuchi embracing the liveliness of Latin dances or Machida focusing on precision for his ballroom performances, the actors, and even the supporting actresses, have done their homework to portray these dance champions without any prior professional dance experience.
However, another gripe that we do have with 10Dance is the hasty introduction of the romance. It is a little too quick, pushed into our faces when we are barely into the second act. It feels out of character for Suzuki and Sugiki to be suddenly so aware of their feelings when in the first act, they are just starting to understand each other.
Even the ending is quite vaguely which may turn off some viewers. But for an ongoing manga’s adaptation, it feels like the best point to end the movie as it’s more about Suzuki and Sugiki’s relationship rather than the competition. Who knows, if we are lucky, we may get a sequel focusing on the competition.
All in all, 10Dance is a visual treat. And with themes of masculinity, control vs passion, internal turmoil, manipulation and love as a weakness, the movie will have viewers introspecting and thinking about these characters long after the credits roll.
Read More: 10Dance Ending Explained
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Verdict - 8/10
8/10
