I saw Norwegian Wood tonight. I liked that book a lot in high school, and still really like Haruki Murakami, so I was looking forward to watching the movie. It wasn't entirely disappointing, but there were a lot of disappointing things about it. Overall, I'm glad I saw it though.
I'm bad at writing reviews, so I'll tell you what I liked ★ and didn't like ☆ about it.
This blog has moved. If you want to read about Norwegian Wood, please go there. We are now at the Green House Japan blog. Green House Japan is a blog started by three non-Japanese people in our 20s living in Japan. We'll each take turns posting about different things that interest us. We hope that they'll interest you, too.
10 comments:
Dang, thats really unfortunate that you didnt like it :(.
I was hoping to watch it myself given that it was worthwhile. I went by your blog once and saw the post on Sakuran and watched it--has to be one of my favourite movies I've ever seen.
Do you by chance have any other recommendations of Japanese films to watch??? As of right now I'm starting to dabble into Akira Kurosawa and Yasajiro Ozu.
It sounds like you liked it more than me. My main problem was with the girl who played Midori; she was definitely cute, but completely lacking the charisma she has so much of in the book. I agree with you that a lot of the book's best scenes are cut completely (that's the nature of adaptations), but I also think that a lot of other scenes from the book were forced into the movie to detrimental ends, like where Reiko plays "Norwegian Wood" for Naoko and Watanabe.
And I agree that the cinematography and locations were gorgeous; those were my favorite things about the movie. It was shot by Mark Li Ping-bin, who is Hou Hsiao-hsien's usual cinematographer, and who has also worked with Wong Kar-wai a fair amount in the past.
Caroline, I did like it! Just not all of it.
Akira Kurosawa is great...you're starting off right!
Someday I'll make a list of random favorite Japanese movies. They won't be the same genre and some will be art and some will be loveable junk but hopefully you'll find something you like... Sakuran was a pretty movie, right!
Pete, thanks for the comment. I totally agree with the Norwegian Wood part. It was horrible. My friend and I looked at each other at the same time and cringed.
Thanks for the information about the cinematographer. I didn't know that. I love Wong Kar-wai.
Hi there, I chanced upon your blog while googling the Norwegian Wood movie. I will be visiting Japan in two weeks and I was hoping to catch the movie while I'm there. Pardon me if this sounds like a silly question, but do you know if there are places that screen the film with English subtitles? I know it doesn't make sense for this be happen in Japan, but I thought I'd just ask. Thank you!
Hello,
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Thanks again, and have a great day!
Maria
I'm totally gonna watch it to watch it. It looks really pretty and if the cups and clothes are spot on that's enough to put me in a pleasant mood. But having someone play "Norwegian Wood" on a guitar is EXACTLY the kind of thing I assumed was going to happen.
It's funny when people love Reiko because when I first read Norwegian Wood I was studying a lot of New Criticism and arguing "unreliable narrative!" in like three classes. As soon as Reiko came in I completely thought she was a lying, self-serving kook, especially after the piano story. I was totally shocked when I seemed to be the only one.
I watched it today since it was premiered in my country yesterday. I'm glad to find a review listing both like and dislike in such an organized way. I agree with you about Naoko, well the actress makes me feel that she's not the Naoko I've always pictured in my mind. Reiko is my fave character too so it's such a shame that her story barely existed in the movie. There are some parts I find really redundant, like the scene Watanabe and his friend walking while eating peaches. Really awkward. Midori is my most fave character, so of course my expectation is high, it seems to me that the Midori in the movie is less interesting and lively. How sad. Actually in the book, Midori and Naoko are very different but in the movie it's quite hard to tell the differences. The scenes are all breathtaking, and the music are brilliant. It makes me feel nostalgic.
Thanks for the review! :)
Greetings from Vietnam.
Wow, thanks!
I want to see this movie, but haven't yet. Kennichi is so hot and we share the same birthday! But I will probably wait until it comes out on dvd.
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