SYNOPSIS:
Kaoru
(Yui) is inflicted with a rare skin disorder that prevents
her from being exposed to sunlight. She seeks solace in playing
guitar and singing at the train station at night. She notices
Koji (Takashi Tsukamoto), a surfer who always makes his way
to sea to surf before sunrise. The path of Kaoru and Koji
crosses and they develop a moving romance under the midnight
sun...
MOVIE REVIEW:
Let’s see, if a young girl looking like Yui (Japan’s
fastest rising singer-actress, so says this DVD) comes up
to this reviewer and tells him that she wants to be his girlfriend,
he would say yes without even hesitating.
The
problem is, he doesn’t resemble the boyish Takashi Tsukamoto
(Battle Royae, Nada Sou Sou) in any way. But things aren’t
that perfect for Tsukamoto (who is convincingly dashing as
a surfer wannabe) too. There must be a catch somewhere when
a sweet young girl comes up to you out of nowhere to profess
her love.
Yes,
in the true spirit of Japanese tragedies, the poor girl is
diagnosed with a skin disease which doesn’t allow her
to be exposed to the sun. Which also means our dear surfer
dude can only go out with her on dates at night. On a more
serious note, she may even die from the disease.
That
actually is awfully romantic, if you ask us.
Never
mind that everything about this movie is predictably familiar.
From the stereotypical characterizations to the story plot,
you know what exactly you are in for the moment the 120-minute
film begins. Fans of Derek Yee’s C'est la vie, mon chéri
(1994) starring Lau Ching Wan and Anita Yuen will also notice
the uncanny resemblance between the two Asian productions.
And
when you see Yee being credited in the movie’s rolling
credits, you know where director Norihiro Koizumi got his
inspirations from.
This
contemporary tale is undoubtedly made for today’s audience.
From the stars’ appealingly wholesome images to the
movie’s tremendously eye-pleasing cinematography, the
dramatic elements of the story will move the emotions in you.
This
pleasant production will make you smile and reflect on the
purity of love. Such ideal and romantic notions are only found
in movies, so says this cynic reviewer.
And
thankfully, it is enjoyable movies like this which allow people
like him to indulge himself in wondrous worlds painted by
filmmakers.
SPECIAL
FEATURES:
Other than a 2-odd-minute trailer for the movie, this Code
3 disc also contains trailers for Derek Yee’s Protégé
and Kong Tao Hoi’s Twins Mission.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
Yui’s
youthful vocals (the petite young thing is a singer in real
life too) play out like a newly-bought album on this disc;
while Japan’s scenic beaches and city lights never looked
more appealing, thanks to the film’s crisp visual transfer.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING:
Review
by John Li
|
