It's curious how films that feature the male physique so prominently eventually lead you to question why men with ideal bodies and faces often seem to lack substance in other areas! Regardless, we see young "Nagiko" (Vivian Wu) remembering her childhood experiences when her father would paint intricate calligraphy on her skin. These carefully designed characters—along with some accompanying, wonderfully mysterious stories—originated from the writings of a lady-in-waiting during Japan's 10th century Heian court. Later in life, she becomes captivated by this art form and begins painting the bodies of those involved in her active romantic relationships. "Jerome" (Ewan McGregor) possesses messy handwriting that irritates her, but they quickly become drawn to each other, and he willingly participates in her games combining sex and writing. There’s no denying some of the designs she creates would be admired by many contemporary tattoo artists. Predictably, a plot development arises—she discovers "Jerome" enjoys certain delicacies and is having an affair with a publisher who previously caused issues for her father. She perceives this as a chance to not only retaliate but also publish her own work. The film's structure mirrors the book it’s based on, presented in chapters that aren’t always straightforward or chronological; the storyline sometimes wanders, which diminishes its literary merit and creates occasional disruptions. Ultimately, it’s a beautifully shot visual experience—sometimes effective, other times not. It isn’t a remarkable story, but it offers an imaginative perspective on male beauty—both physical and character—as viewed through the eyes of a woman motivated by affection, desire, and vengeance. Strangely captivating to watch, it might have been even better if it had omitted all dialogue and existed solely as a soundtrack-driven piece of visually appealing cinema.

Source on TMDB