Rent Norwegian Wood (2011)

3.1 of 5 from 137 ratings
2h 8min
Rent Norwegian Wood (aka Noruwei no mori) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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Synopsis:
Tokyo 1968. Students around the world are uniting to overthrow the establishment and Watanabe's personal life is similarly in tumult. Deeply devoted to his first love, Naoko, their complex bond is threatened when the outgoing, vivacious Midori marches into his life, forcing Watanabe to choose between his past and his future.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , Yusuke, , Kentarô Tamura, Makoto Sugisawa, Kohei Yoshino, Sawako Okuma, Haruka Masuda, Yui Higashiyama, Izumi Hirasawa, Shinichi Hara, Wataru Ohshige, Tomoako Miyake
Directors:
Producers:
Shinji Ogawa
Voiced By:
Mariko Yamanaka, Rika Yasui Hammen
Writers:
Haruki Murakami, Tran Anh Hung
Aka:
Noruwei no mori
Studio:
Soda Pictures
Genres:
Drama, Romance
Countries:
Japan
BBFC:
Release Date:
04/07/2011
Run Time:
128 minutes
Languages:
Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.40:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • 'Making of' feature
  • Close up with the cast
  • 'Norwegian wood reinterpreted' design competition gallery
BBFC:
Release Date:
04/07/2011
Run Time:
143 minutes
Languages:
Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Making op feature
  • Close up with the cast
  • International premiere featurettes
  • Norwegian Wood reinterpreted design competition gallery

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Critic review

Norwegian Wood (aka Noruwei no mori) review by Alyse Garner - Cinema Paradiso

Based on the book by Haruki Murakami Norwegian Wood tells the story of Toru, whose memory is triggered by hearing the song that also acts as the movie’s title, taking him back to his life as young man in the 1960’s. After his close friend Kizuki commits suicide Toru and his Kizuki’s girlfriend Naoko grow close, brought together by their mutual grief; struggling to come to terms with the loss Toru also finds himself inexplicably drawn to another woman, Midori.

The unusual love triangle story is well acted and intriguing, deftly avoiding many of the cliché’s of Hollywood through some expert acts of direction and cinematography. Unfortunately however the movie lacks the structural capacity to really delve into the darker depths of the story; leaving it in a limbo somewhere between indulgent cliché and real drama.

The visual setting of the late 1960’s is beautifully constructed and explored to its full potential thanks to the cinematography skills of Mark Lee Ping Bin, whilst the political friction that runs in the story’s undercurrent is brilliantly played and manipulated to compliment the disillusionment and pain experienced by Toru and his peers.

With music written by Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood Norwegian Wood stands to be both depressing and enlightening, capturing that sad hopeful feeling in the way only Radiohead fans can appreciate. Ultimately however the evocative music lacks a strong narrative to support, leaving the score the flesh on the skeleton of the story.

Lovers of the original novel will likely be shocked by the severe trimming that has removed a great deal of the strength and weight of the story, leaving it somewhat thin and underwhelming.

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