Noruwei no mori (2010)

Toru recalls his life in the 1960s, when his friend Kizuki killed himself and he grew close to Naoko, Kizuki's girlfriend, and another woman, the outgoing, lively Midori.

Director:

Anh Hung Tran (as Tran Anh Hung)

Writers:

Haruki Murakami (novel), Anh Hung Tran (as Tran Anh Hung)

Stars:

Ken'ichi Matsuyama, Rinko Kikuchi, Kiko Mizuhara

4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken'ichi Matsuyama	...	Toru Watanabe
Rinko Kikuchi	...	Naoko
Kiko Mizuhara	...	Midori
Kengo Kôra	...	Kizuki
Reika Kirishima	...	Dr. Reiko Ishida
Eriko Hatsune	...	Hatsumi
Tokio Emoto	...	Storm Trooper
Takao Handa	...	Midori's Father
Yusuke	...	High School Classmate
Yûki Itô	...	Student Activist
Kentarô Tamura	...	Student Activist
Makoto Sugisawa	...	Student Activist
Kohei Yoshino	...	Student Activist
Sawako Okuma	...	College Girl
Haruka Masuda	...	College Girl

Storyline

Upon hearing the song "Norwegian Wood," Toru (Matsuyama) remembers back to his life in the 1960s, when his friend Kizuki killed himself and he grew close to Naoko, Kizuki's girlfriend. As the two try, in very different ways, to contend with their grief, Toru forms a bond with another woman, Midori.

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Plot Keywords:

1960s | grief | woods | writing a letter | voice over narration | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

11 December 2010 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Norwegian Wood

Filming Locations:

Kamikawa, Hyogo, Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,068, 8 January 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$13,068, 8 January 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asmik Ace Entertainment, Dentsu, Fuji Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The publication of the novel caused such a sensation in Japan that novelist Haruki Murakami was obligated to quit his native journey and move to the United States.

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Alternate Versions

The German TV version is 10 min shorter.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Venice Film Festival 2010 (2010)

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Soundtracks

String Quartet #62 in C major (The Emperor)
Music by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Martin Burgess, Clare Hayes, Fiona Bonds, William Schofield, John Metcalfe and Joely Koos

User Reviews

HK Neo Reviews: Norwegian Wood

Movies like these are rare. They are special – Unique in their own ways. Norwegian Wood is the kind of film that ends better than it starts. If you can get through the first 30 minutes, the film will grow onto you and engage you and eventually immerse into your world. Based on a 1987 award winning novel about the 60s changing social situation in Japan, the film explores the complicated notions of unrequited love, the era of sexual freedom and the loss of innocence. Director Anh Hung Tran paints a beautiful, slow and lingering picture which allows the film to grow onto the audience. At times the film feels like something from Wong Kar Wai and the Beatles title song is fitting. The film ends on a lighter tone and there is one quote that I find worthy to share about loss: "All we can do is see it through to the end and learn something from it, but what we learn will be no help in facing the next sorrow that comes to us without warning". I am delighted to have gone through this cinematic journey and despite its opening flaws; Norwegian Wood eventually wins the audience's heart…

Neo rates it 9/10.

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