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MIDNIGHT SUN

 ABOUT THE MOVIE


Genre:
Romance/Drama
Starring: Yui, Takashi Tsukamoto
Director: Norihiro Koizumi
Rating: PG
Year Made: 2006

 

 


 SPECIAL FEATURES


- Trailer

 

 


 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS


Languages:
Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0
Running Time: 1 hr 58 mins
Region Code: 3
Distributor: Scorpio East

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

Kaoru (Yui) is inflicted with a rare skin disorder that prevents her from being exposed to sunlight. She seeks solace in playing guitar and singing at the train station at night. She notices Koji (Takashi Tsukamoto), a surfer who always makes his way to sea to surf before sunrise. The path of Kaoru and Koji crosses and they develop a moving romance under the midnight sun...

MOVIE REVIEW:
  

Let’s see, if a young girl looking like Yui (Japan’s fastest rising singer-actress, so says this DVD) comes up to this reviewer and tells him that she wants to be his girlfriend, he would say yes without even hesitating.

The problem is, he doesn’t resemble the boyish Takashi Tsukamoto (Battle Royae, Nada Sou Sou) in any way. But things aren’t that perfect for Tsukamoto (who is convincingly dashing as a surfer wannabe) too. There must be a catch somewhere when a sweet young girl comes up to you out of nowhere to profess her love.

Yes, in the true spirit of Japanese tragedies, the poor girl is diagnosed with a skin disease which doesn’t allow her to be exposed to the sun. Which also means our dear surfer dude can only go out with her on dates at night. On a more serious note, she may even die from the disease.

That actually is awfully romantic, if you ask us.

Never mind that everything about this movie is predictably familiar. From the stereotypical characterizations to the story plot, you know what exactly you are in for the moment the 120-minute film begins. Fans of Derek Yee’s C'est la vie, mon chéri (1994) starring Lau Ching Wan and Anita Yuen will also notice the uncanny resemblance between the two Asian productions.

And when you see Yee being credited in the movie’s rolling credits, you know where director Norihiro Koizumi got his inspirations from.

This contemporary tale is undoubtedly made for today’s audience. From the stars’ appealingly wholesome images to the movie’s tremendously eye-pleasing cinematography, the dramatic elements of the story will move the emotions in you.

This pleasant production will make you smile and reflect on the purity of love. Such ideal and romantic notions are only found in movies, so says this cynic reviewer.

And thankfully, it is enjoyable movies like this which allow people like him to indulge himself in wondrous worlds painted by filmmakers.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Other than a 2-odd-minute trailer for the movie, this Code 3 disc also contains trailers for Derek Yee’s Protégé and Kong Tao Hoi’s Twins Mission.

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Yui’s youthful vocals (the petite young thing is a singer in real life too) play out like a newly-bought album on this disc; while Japan’s scenic beaches and city lights never looked more appealing, thanks to the film’s crisp visual transfer.

MOVIE RATING:


DVD RATING:

Review by John Li

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. A Battle of Wits

. Heavenly Mission

. Exiled

. Operation Undercover

. Diary

. Fatal Contact

. Singapore Dreaming

. Rob-B-Hood

. On The Edge

. The World's Fastest Indian

. Dragon Tiger Gate


. Unarmed Combat

. Crazy Stone


. Election 2


. We Are Family

. I Not Stupid Too


. The Shoe Fairy

. 2 Becomes 1

. 49 Days

. REAL

. Dragon Eye Congee

. A Chinese Tall Story

. Perhaps Love

. SPL

. Election


. The Myth


. Wait 'Til You're Older


. The Maid

 

 


This review is made possible with the kind support from Scorpio East


 


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