Madeira Norueguesa (2010)

What caught my attention was the story about tragic loss set in the 1960s. I should have guessed the involvement of sex in the movie judging from its name 'Norwegian Wood' (a very popular Beatles' song- one of my personal favourites too). This should fall under the genre of doom-erotica because there's both in it- lots of tragedy and lots of sex.

It is basically a love triangle between a self-absorbed guy, his schizophrenic friend and a free-spirited girl. I loved the whole idea of it, and unique characterizations. I think I loved Midori the best. Watanabe has to be one of the dullest protagonists I have encountered in a long time. I would gladly call him an indecisive jerk who likes screwing around with the feelings of both girls. I take it that he and Naoko are bound by their mutual feelings of loss, and liked that aspect of their relationship very much. I can't help but say this movie is surprisingly likable and one of the best made by the Japanese (out of the ones I have seen).

With its outstanding camera work this could have easily been a masterpiece. There are scenes which outright take your breath away. I also liked how the relationship between Watanabe and Naoko is shown in every season, providing us with a distraction from their (sometimes boring) relationship in the form of beautiful scenery and settings. It also has very good background score.

Only after I was done watching the movie, its good points crawled into my mind. It was a great story with a good cast and a slow screenplay. There were times I was bored and annoyed while watching this movie, but I reckon the novel must be loads better. I am definitely going to read it.

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