I absolutely love this movie. Who can't identify with Etsuko, a teenager overshadowed by a brilliant older sister, ignored by her parents, and derided by her teachers? Yet nothing will crush her strong spirit. Even with anemia and back problems she manages to form a competent girl's rowing team in her school.
The other characters are not quite as strongly developed, but they all struggle and grow in the film. I was rooting for them all the way. The end of the movie was just perfect, too. There is nothing contrived or mawkish about this movie at all - it's simply wonderful!
The other characters are not quite as strongly developed, but they all struggle and grow in the film. I was rooting for them all the way. The end of the movie was just perfect, too. There is nothing contrived or mawkish about this movie at all - it's simply wonderful!