Norwegian Wood (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 & 9 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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is only Jonny Greenwood's second film score, following his acclaimed work on There Will Be Blood (2007). Greenwood was keen to score the film as he was a big fan of the novel. His involvement was in some doubt, however, as Thom Yorke wanted to return to the studios to record a new Radiohead album. Greenwood found the time to balance both projects.

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Alternate Versions

The German TV version is 10 min shorter.

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Connections

Referenced in 36 (2012)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

It Falls Short

If you have read the book by Haruki Murakami this film won't spoil it, but you will be frustrated at what it failed to achieve. Sometimes with adaptations you hate the way they change key details, and take away the meaning of the original work. Here, its a different problem. The film was too languid and reserved. The story of Naoko and Watanabe was generally well done. But it really failed to tell the relationship of Midori and Wantanabe. In the novel she is far more quirky and sparky than was shown , and it would have lifted the film to have portrayed that. Similarly, it would have made it more lively had we seen Wantanabe's strange room mate Stormtrooper. And again it would have been more interesting, if we had seen Watanabe and Nagasawa on their nights out hunting for girls. Norwegian Wood was beautifully filmed, and I loved the sets which resonated with the descriptions in the book. I apologise for mentioning the book so much, but I don't think this film carries its own weight if you haven't read it. I can't imagine I would have felt emotionally drawn into without knowing the book, as the characters weren't developed properly. To sum up - not a disaster, but very much a missed opportunity.

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:

$13,000, 8 January 2012

Gross USA:

$13,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,144,719

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asmik Ace Entertainment, Dentsu, Fuji Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min 150 min (extended cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1