by sebastian_carlberg » Tue Jan 30 2007 09:49:10
IMDb member since August 2005
Just saw this movie with one of my classes at an annual film festival which is running right now in my town. I have a huge respect for the japanese movie scene but this one was, to put it briefly, maybe the worst movie I've ever seen.
The first aspect which strucked me (like a lightning) was the actors and how extremely bad their acting performance were. Shinichi Tsutsumi did an unforgettably great appearance in the drama'Good Luck' but spoils his talent in this haughty role that he is playing; nuff said about the scene were he gets mad and letting his family (which all overplayed their asses off with the embarrasing yelling) bar the way like he was a raging bull or something. This was an expression that belongs in the comics; I started to laugh, not for the fact that it was funny but for the ocation of the sillyness that this hole movie radiates.
The hole plot is a classic but slavically followed mess where a problem is planted and in the end bombastically solved with the an accompaniment of these hollywood strings. I can't believe that the audience really fell for this sentimental and banal movie. 2 hours of my life that I'll never get back in return!
Well, the thing that strikes me is that the acting is over the top, but the scenery and set design is first rate. The production values are exceptionally high. From the costumes to the props to the sets to the lighting and shot design.
But, as you observed, like a lot of high energy Japanese cinema, it is somewhat predictable and over the top where the performances are concerned. It's like were shoved into 1950's Japan with a big neon arrow sign saying "1950's Japan here!"
The other thign is that there are a huge number of special effects shots here. From the train station to the exterior street shots, to everything outside Third Street, and even third Street isn't spared.
But, with all that said, it is a character study and slice of history. There's no real plot to keep us moving forward, other than the girl bike repair and auto repair thing, but it's so weak that we really don't care about it.
To me this film is wonderfully shot, but there's just no story here, just some minor subplots that I think the director hoped would weave a tapestry for the audience to keep us riveted.
Well, it's not happening because there's no anticipation of what the characters are striving for.
Well, I took a chance on it, got my Region 2 DVD from Thailand, and the visuals of the film are outstanding, but it needs a stronger story and plot.
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