>Narration? Aren't they the character's inner dialogue telling how they feel?

You're right, 'internal monologue' would've been a better description

He's definitely improved a lot, starting with Your Name. When that film came out a lot of people were calling him "The New Miyazaki" and I felt offended on Miyazaki's behalf because I'd seen his previous films...

I still think there's a big gap between their respective storytelling abilities, but it's not the huge chasm it used to be!

I think the fact that you required 2 viewings backs up my point about the first half being poorly written. Their alleged feelings for each other aren't given any credibility until we actually see them interact in the middle.

>I loved the dialogues in the film.

I haven't seen it in a long time, but wasn't there just one scene of dialogue in the middle and the rest was all narration?

A common piece of advice given to writers in the West is 'Show, don't tell.' This was lampshaded in the famous Futurama joke, 'You can't have characters just announce how they feel! That makes me angry!' I honestly thought this film was the worst offender I've ever seen.

I'll agree to the pretty pictures though!