I Will Make You Mine

By: Kemberlie Spivey

When confronted by your past, things tend to become complicated. That is especially the case when ex-lovers come back into the picture. You may enjoy that a person who knows you intimately, someone who you’ve been vulnerable with and someone who has been a great friend from the start, develops feelings for you. However, the regression doesn’t feel normal. I Will Make You Mine is a beautiful story of growing up while continuing to reach for something familiar. It’s definitely worth watching!

I Will Make You Mine tells the story of three women tackle life’s difficulties when confronting past relationships with singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura (himself). Professor Erika (Ayako Fujitani), the ex-girlfriend of Goh, juggles career demands while raising their daughter Sachiko (newcomer Ayami Riley Tomine). Unexpectedly, PErika’s father passes away and it brings old feelings towards Goh Nakamura. It also makes her wonder if they can rekindle their relationship. 

Goh’s long-time best friend Rachel (Lynn Chen) lives in luxury with a cheating husband. In order to move past her husband’s cheating scandal, Rachel reconnects with Goh and tries to see if they can be more than friends. A struggling musician Yea-Ming (Yea-Ming Chen) and a close friend to Goh is still chasing a fast-fading dream. Yea-Ming and Goh work together to create music for Yea-Ming’s new song. All of the three women have to re-evaluate what’s important to them and figure out if Goh is still a part of that formula. 

Writer and director Lynn Chen did a great job of spacing the scenes out and creating what felt like an equal opportunity for each storyline. The transitions in the story were brilliant and smooth and didn’t overshadow the storylines. She was also creative with original music. Each storyline is extremely unique and connected to this one specific character. It shows how all three women are not living the lives they had envisioned. I want to give some credit to Ayako Fujitani and Lynn Chen as their performances stood out to me. Erika feels completely lost after her father passes away and Rachel tries to fill the void of moving on from her husband’s embarrassing mistake. Additionally, Yea-Ming Chen and Goh Nakamura’s musical performances show viewers how difficult it is to communicate what you’re feeling especially as an older person.

I Will Make You Mine highlights the importance of hope – the hope that it’s not too late to be the person who you are destined to become. This film emphasizes on showing how when you become older you should take time to value what you have accomplished so far rather than dwell on the past. I Will Make You Mine exhibits the true importance of opening your eyes to new perspectives and acknowledging the thoughts and desires of our former selves. If you’re looking for a film that will make you laugh a little, sigh and think – then see this bittersweet film.