Nodame Cantabile: The Movie I (2009)

Talented violinist Chiaki Shinichi really wants to become an orchestral conductor. In the final year at his Tokyo conservatory he finds himself living next door to a brilliant but ... See full summary »

Director:

Hideki Takeuchi

Writers:

Tomoko Ninomiya (manga), Rin Eto (screenplay)

Stars:

Juri Ueno, Hiroshi Tamaki, Eita

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Juri Ueno	...	Noda Megumi, aka Nodame
Hiroshi Tamaki	...	Shinichi Chiaki
Eita	...	Ryutaro Mine
Asami Mizukawa	...	Kiyora Miki
Keisuke Koide	...	Masumi Okuyama
Seiji Fukushi	...	Yasunori Koroki
Eiji Wentz	...	Frank Lantoine
Becky	...	Tanya Vishnyova
Yû Yamada	...	Song Rui
Sayaka Yamaguchi	...	Yuko Namiki
Chad Mullane	...	Paul Dubois
Takeshi Nadagi	...	Teo
Michiko Kichise	...	Elise
Masatô Ibu	...	Tatsumi Mine
Naoto Takenaka	...	Franz Strezemann

Storyline

Talented violinist Chiaki Shinichi really wants to become an orchestral conductor. In the final year at his Tokyo conservatory he finds himself living next door to a brilliant but undisciplined pianist named Noda Megumi, nicknamed "Nodame." Nodame soon declares herself in love with Chiaki. Though he demurs at first he finds himself attracted by both her talent and her quirky personality.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

19 December 2009 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Nodame Cantabile: The Movie I

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cine Bazar, Fuji Television Network, Kôdansha

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows Nodame kantâbire in Yôroppa (2008)

User Reviews

Genre romance

Nodame Cantabile is less about the realities of classical music than its romance, but it's firmly rooted in its manga roots - and it's more enjoyable for this. Although it takes place in Europe, the film playfully apologizes for the fact that nearly all of the non-Japanese dialog will be dubbed. The film still manages to work.

A handsome young conductor (Hiroshi Tamaki) and cute pianist girlfriend (Juri Ueno) live in Paris, and personal dramas take precedence in their daily lives. The conductor finds he's stuck trying to revive a dying orchestra with disinterested members; and his girlfriend is torn between loving her boyfriend and love for music. Of course, there's considerable room for jealousy and over-ambitiousness to poison their relationship, too.

There are picture-perfect vistas of stately locales, beefed up with a sweeping soundtrack of classical war-horses (1812 Overture, etc.). How interesting it is that the film's standout moments come with its CGI-inspired overstatement; Nodame, always in love with love, floats over the rooftops with an army of teddy bears, or blushes crimson with love or ire (depending on the context). This movie is light romance dressed with classical touches for credibility, but the charm shines through.

With this, part one, we watch as a conductor tries to revive a sputtering orchestra that has seen its best days; part two concentrates on Nodame's career as a pianist - and her hope to further her dream of being part of a "golden couple." To the film's credit, long musical sequences are included, largely uncut, without losing the narrative thread.