Norwegian Wood (2011)
Strong themes and sex scenes
| Director: | Anh Hung Tran |
| Actors: | Rinko Kikuchi, Ken'ichi Matsuyama, Kiko Mizuhara, Tetsuji Tamayama |
Published in 1987 and since translated into 33 languages, Norwegian Wood is a story of loss and heartbreak in a time of global instability. Haruki Murakami’s bestselling novel is brought to the screen by Tran Anh Hung (Golden Lion winner for Cyclo and Academy Award nominee for The Scent of Green Papaya) and features Japanese rising star Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City) and Oscar nominee Rinko Kikuchi (Babel) alongside newcomer Kiko Mizuhara.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 133mins |
| Origin: | JAPAN |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
Golden slumbers
by Simon Miraudo, 25/07/2011 3:41:00 PM
More like Snorewegian Wood, am I right? *High fives nobody*. This adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s novel of the same name is practically the definition of the pits: moody teenagers staring longingly at one another before succumbing to either mental illness or suicide. Apparently the book is much loved, and I pray that it’s better than this MOR, adult-contemporary, soppy film; otherwise, we’re gonna have to emancipate all those poor, unsuspecting people in Oprah’s international book club. Ken'ichi Matsuyama stars as Watanabe, a young Japanese man who leaves his hometown to run away from a tragedy, only to find pain and sorrow follow him wherever he goes. Such is life! Director Tran Anh Hung and cinematographer Mark Lee Ping Bin know how to make everything look very pretty. They go to great l...
More like Snorewegian Wood, am I right? *High fives nobody*. This adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s novel of the same name is practically the definition of the pits: moody teenagers staring longingly at one another before succumbing to either mental illness or suicide. Apparently the book is much loved, and I pray that it’s better than this MOR, adult-contemporary, soppy film; otherwise, we’re gonna have to emancipate all those poor, unsuspecting people in Oprah’s international book club. Ken'ichi Matsuyama stars as Watanabe, a young Japanese man who leaves his hometown to run away from a tragedy, only to find pain and sorrow follow him wherever he goes. Such is life! Director Tran Anh Hung and cinematographer Mark Lee Ping Bin know how to make everything look very pretty. They go to great lengths to paint the period (1967, amidst student protests), but absolutely nothing is done with it; these massive cultural events have no effect on our tunnel-visioned protagonist. Norwegian Wood moves at a glacial pace. A more apt Beatles’ song title would have been Golden Slumbers.
2/5
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Member Reviews (8)
8 Member
Reviews
says
Depressing. Where did "Norwegian" come into it?
Gregory
says
This is an excellent movie in many ways, a beautifully shot film with exquisite tender cinematography. A great adaptation from the book it almost matches the scenes I pictured in my mind, a few interesting bits were missing. Like the book it was drawn out and tedious in parts but somehow rewarding.
Al
says
The film looks beautiful, with magnificent performances all 'round. Nevertheless, I had hoped for a stronger adaptation of Marukami's story. Be prepared to be disappointed.
APS
says
While I could go with the old cliche "read the book", but that's more a comment on how good the book is. I found this a really good film interpretation.
Don't expect it to be nice or easy, though. Its beautiful, but melancholic.
Wayne S
says
An excellent movie even thou it was all subtitled it was very moving and easy to be drawn into the movie and the characters. I gave it a 5 because it shows true emotions that come from the real world of love, from growing teens becoming adults and trying to understand life. It is not a Hollywood make believe.
DJ
says
If you've read the book it's a nice but shallow adjunct - if not there is no real point watching it, as condensing an almost plotless book for the screen has made it pretty unaffecting
gerd
says
A beautiful, tender, romantic and sad story that's very believable. Very ordinary 20-year-old guy gets caught up with a couple of neurotic women, each with their own issues. As usual when love is involved, it becomes all very complex, irrational and heartbreaking. The funniest part, unintentionally so, is a Japanese lady singing 'Norwegian Wood'.
Phil
says
Didn't find this very interesting. First, why this title? Norwegian wood! A Japanese movie with nothing whatsoever related to Norway. Second all the women in this movie are depicted as sexual weirdos. Not the best from this country, very low pace. Am a big fan of Japanese flicks and this one is simply boring from start to finish.