Crying Out Love in the Center of the World (2004)

While searching for his fiancee Ritsuko, Sakutarou rediscovers through flashbacks the void deep within him caused by the events from his high school days.

Director:

Isao Yukisada

Writers:

Kyouichi Katayama (novel), Yûji Sakamoto (screenplay)

Stars:

Takao Ohsawa, Ko Shibasaki, Masami Nagasawa

10 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Takao Ohsawa	...	Sakutaro Matsumoto
Ko Shibasaki	...	Ritsuko Fujimura (as Kô Shibasaki)
Masami Nagasawa	...	Aki Hirose
Mirai Moriyama	...	Sakutaro Matsumoto (High School)
Tsutomu Yamazaki	...	Shigezou Matsumoto
Kankurô Kudô	...	Ryunosuke Ooki
Kanji Tsuda	...	Johnny
Issey Takahashi	...	Ryunosuke (high school student) (as Issei Takahashi)
Rio Kanno	...	Ritsuko (girl)
Tetta Sugimoto	...	Aki's Father
Katsutaka Furuhata	...	Johnny (high school)
Kenta Uchino	...	Classmate
Aki Nishihara	...	Classmate
Masaru Miyazaki	...	Classmate
Marie Kawaguchi	...	Classmate

Storyline

In 1980s Kyushu, two teenagers fell in love, and exchanged their secrets and thoughts by way of sending tape recordings to each other. More than a decade later, the boy (now grown-up and bittered) rediscovers the last recording of his long-dead lover's voice. Her words trigger a series of flashbacks illustrating the joyful beginning and tragic end of their relationship.

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Plot Keywords:

flashback | fiancee | love | athletic girl | flirtatious woman | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

8 May 2004 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Crying Out Love in the Center of the World

Filming Locations:

Kagoshima, Japan

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,938,018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), Hakuhodo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sekai no Chushin de, Ai wo Sakebu, a Japanese romance novel by Katayama Kyoichi, sold over 3 million copies in Japan alone.

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Connections

Version of My Girl and I (2005)

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Soundtracks

Romeo and Juliet
Music by Nino Rota
Performed by Gontiti

User Reviews

A Memorable Romance

As a rule, I avoid romance tales and this one was nearly no exception. I didn't see it in the theaters when it was out last year, even though friends recommended it. Just by chance, I rented the DVD. It is available in Japan with English subtitles. Now, after several days, I can't stop thinking about it.

Sakutaro is a man in his mid-thirties about to marry Ritsuko, a woman in her late twenties. While getting ready to move, Ritsuko encounters an old audio cassette tape she forgot she had. Though she knew what the tape was, she had never heard it. After locating a store that still sells audio cassette players, she listens to it for the first time. It takes her on a pilgrimage to her (and Sakutaro's) childhood home town. She leaves a message telling him that she's going away for a while.

By chance, Sakutaro learns where Ritsuko went and he goes there. He finds himself on a pilgrimage of his own.

I can't proceed much further, but it can be said that this is not a frivolous love story. I deals with the permanence of love in a most touching and original way. I really hope this film finds its way out of Japan. I gave this movie an eight out of ten.