Trapped by Desire

The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese has easily secured its place as one of my all-time favorite Asian dramas and BL films. This adaptation brings to life Setona Mizushiro's manga with depth, portraying the complexities of love, vulnerability, and identity in a way that is raw and intensely intimate. The film dives into the relationship between two deeply flawed men, Kyoichi and Imagase, revealing how love can emerge from even the most unexpected places.

-Story

The story centers on Kyoichi, and Imagase, his old friend who has secretly longed for Kyoichi for years. When Imagase enters Kyoichi’s life as a private investigator, Kyoichi is forced to confront aspects of himself he's long ignored. What unfolds is a story of self-discovery and acceptance. The story's pacing is reallythoughtful showcasing the emotional conflict between the characters. Their interactions are painful, but through the film's raw approach it feels genuine and intense. Watching Kyoichi exploring and discovering himself through Imagase’s nonstopping pursuit of love is both heartbreaking and fulfilling.

-Acting/Cast

Okura Tadayoshi’s portrayal of Otomo Kyoichi is perfectly layered, quiet, vulnerable, and inscrutable. He captures the all the rage existent inside Kyoichi’s mind.
Originally in the manga he is kind of spineless, and the one who is seduced easily all the time and cant even resist to anyones charms, but here in the movie he is really reserved and almost unemotional at points. This Otomo keeps his with him and doesnt let them out, making it hard for viewers who are unfamiliar with his background to understand him, making it incerdibly hard to understand whats is going on inside his head, so i personally think that to understand his character in the movie u have to notice the little details, which are his gazes and expressions. Lookin at those aspects his character may not seem as complex as he looks like.

In the manga the character Imagase was a cold and detached that only shined next to Kyoichi, while in the movie he was relaxed, and loosen up. Narita Ryo perfectly conveys the desperation, fear, and hope to capture Imagase's deeply insecure nature. This insecurity comes to show through his actions and choices, revealing the intensity behind Imagase’s carefree exterior, both on the manga and the movie. Together, they create some of the most emotional moments I’ve seen in a BL.
Both characters are extremely hard to portray yet both actors really did their all represent the characters and it resulted in a spectacular depiction of the manga.

-The Music

While the soundtrack is understated and doesn’t stand out as much as other aspects of the film, it actually complements the tone, allowing the story to shine through without distraction. The music quietly supports the ambiance, enhancing the film’s moody feel. While it’s not the most memorable soundtrack, it’s fitting for the story’s contemplative atmosphere.

-Rewatch Value

The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese actually made me look at love in human relationships in a different light. This is what made it standout among BLs and made it on of my personal favorites . Even with differences from the manga, the film’s artistic direction make it a fulfilling watch every time, especially for those who really like towatch messy stories of love who are really character-driven.

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