 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ PICTURES | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | JAPANESE DD 2.0 W/ SUBTITLES | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 115 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 04/08/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 03/18/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Based on the manga by Ai Yazawa (also available from Viz), the live action movie of NANA is an involving romantic drama immersing viewers in the lives of two completely different girls bound by an unlikely and rewarding friendship.
NANA is a movie drama. Two very different girls sharing the same name, Nana, meet. Nana is an innocent girl who is somewhat immature but kind hearted and has a string of troubles regarding her boyfriend. Quite contrary to Nana’s earnest and eager nature is the reticent NANA, a rock singer and Goth girl who speaks little but what she says when she speaks has uncanny weight and a keen power of observation. Aloof she may be, but she isn’t cold. And somewhere along the way, Nana’s warmth and sincerity wins over the reserved NANA and a friendship is born. During the course of the film we see them both settling in Tokyo, each with their own trials. Nana is trying to learn to be independent, get a job and make ends meet. That doesn’t include all he trouble she’s having with her disinterested boyfriend. Meanwhile NANA dreamed of singing yet seems to have partially given that up. A series of poignant flashbacks reveal her love affair with the handsome Ren along with the heartbreak of when they parted and why. NANA is shown to be a proud and independent young woman, the naïve Nana could learn a lot from her just as NANA could learn more about taking a risk emotionally from her exuberant and optimistic friend. The show sees them dealing with their loves lives and comes to a particularly moving scene when it is naïve Nana who takes charge during a crisis with her friend and lends unyielding support in hopes of helping to mend her NANA’s broken heart. This turnabout at the end was inspired and deeply touching, giving a poignant end to a well done dramatic movie. The show follows the manga closely enough. Particularly impressive is how much they managed to impart the designs of the characters for a live action movie. NANA looks as if she walked right out of the manga. The cinematography was excellent. The movie is heavily narrative though, something I felt it could use a tad less of. The scenes with NANA and the others performing as The Black Stones were incredible, really stupendous J-Rock. Not surprising as her song “Glamorous Days” was written by Hyde of L’Arc-en-Ciel. The whole movie has fantastic music. The actress for NANA, Mika Nakashima, model, singer and actress, made a wonderful Goth rocker. Her enigmatic allure and sexual confidence reminded me of a young Angelina Jolie as Legs in the film Foxfire. Accomplished actress Aoi Miyazaki superbly captures Nana’s naïve charm and endearing optimisms and earnestness. Meanwhile Ryuhei Matsuda, who garnered much critical acclaim for his role in Taboo, makes a beautiful Ren complete with his sexual allure and underlying vulnerability. EXTRAS:
Bonus features include original Japanese trailers, director and cast profiles, and other Viz Pictures live action movie trailers. IN SUMMARY:
Two very different girls meet and discover a friendship far richer than the pursuit of any dream.
Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved
|
