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In Japanese with English & Chinese Subtitles
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Hideki Takeuchi
Cast: Juri Ueno, Hiroshi
Tamaki, Eita, Asami Mizukawa, Keisuke Koide, Eiji Wentz
Becky, Sayaka Yamaguchi, Yu Yamada, Shosuke Tanihara, Takeshi
Nadagi, Seiji Fukushi, Michiko Kichise, Masatoh Ibu, Naoto
Takenaka
RunTime: 2 hrs 3 mins
Released By: GV
Rating: PG
Official Website: http://nodame-movie.jp/
Opening Day: 15 July 2010
Synopsis:
As Part Two begins, we find Nodame (Juri Ueno) still pining
for Chiaki's (Hiroshi Tamaki) unconditional affection as she
struggles to mature and find her own place in the musical
world. The couple's quirky and farcically clumsy love affair
begins to mature into a somber and serious adult love story
as the final chapter unfolds. And with so much plot line riding
on this final installment, the producers have pulled out all
the stops with an all-star cast that includes most of the
familiar fixtures of the series including: Eita, Asami Mizukawa,
Keisuke Koide, Eiji Wentz, Becky, Yu Yamada, Takeshi Nadagi
(The Plan 9), Seiji Fukushi, Michiko Kichise, Masato Ibu and
Naoto Takenaka. The headlining star arguably remains the music
itself as Nodame Cantabile Part Two offers a spectacular orchestral
score, turning movie theaters into virtual concert halls.
Throw in plenty of laughs, tears and emotion, and you get
a spectacular climax to a growing legend that promises to
settle once and for all the question of what lies ahead for
Nodame and Chiaki. Will the Nodame-Chiaki concerto finally
come to pass? And will their love triumph?
Movie Review:
Undoubtedly, Nodame Cantaibile: The Final Score Part I has
made great box office success, making over 4 billion Yen in
box office takings. This time round, Japanese distributor
TOHO predicts that Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score Part
II has even more promising returns as they expect it to top
the first movie by over 70% and make more than 6 billion yen*
(approximately 95 million SGD).
First, the success of the franchise lies in the main cast.
Gradually, the couple, Ueno Juri and Tamaki Hiroshi, has earned
strong interests from audience all over Asia, and even emerged
as the most ideal onscreen couple in a poll conducted in Japan
dated back in January this year. Also in March, when the director,
Ueno Juri (Noda Megumi, aka Nodame) and Tamaki Hiroshi (Chiaki
Shinichi) went to Hong Kong to attend their publicity events,
their arrival at the Hong Kong airport created a great commotion
amongst the crowd.
Besides popularity, there’s also almost nothing to nitpick
at their acting. It’s definitely noteworthy that Ueno
Juri has earned her title of Best Actress at the 1st Tokyo
Drama Awards with her role as Nodame. Without their superb
and the humorous rendition of the characters in this franchise,
the hunch is that the popularity of it would not have lasted.
Moreover, it is far from being lacklustre. From Nodame’s
signature gestures, to Chiaki’s overreaction towards
Nodame, to Stresemann’s (Chiaki’s teacher; played
by veteran actor Takenaka Naoto) heavily accented Japanese,
et cetera, they have invoked much laughter and made the movie
experience an even better one.
Unlike the first installation which has placed much focus
on the conflicts, problems and resolution, Part II heavily
focus on the Nodame-Chiaki relationship. This time it also
seem that the production team has spent immense efforts on
choosing wisely the concerto songs to ensure the whole music
experience is of high standard. There are instances where
your heart is stringed together with the music in the background,
which directly connects you with how the character is feeling
at the moment. Also, the different techniques used, such as
stills and special effects were also timely to achieve the
intended effect: whimsical and happy; not to bore the audience.
Thus what also keeps the audiences’ tension high is
the development of the atypical romance between Chiaki and
Nodame. This time it allows the audience the witness the transformation
of the characters and journey with them as they embark on
their pilgrimage of self-seeking and the realization of dreams.
Firstly for Nodame, from just an extraordinary oddball, she’s
come to be more mature and sophisticated. Secondly for Chiaki,
he has revealed much more beneath his stoic surface, and finally
reached to a point where he discovers his true passion for
music and Nodame. This also attributed to the winning formula
of the Nodame franchise.
Since this is the final instalment of the Nodame franchise,
one may find that they are quite hasty in trying to bring
us to the end point. It may also seem like it disallows new
entrants to follow the story and characters well. Nonetheless
as aforementioned, this movie experience is still overall
a great, great one.
Finally, after 4 years of following Nodame Cantabile, we’ve
reached fin. Surely people will miss the wacky and whimsical
rendition of Nodame, Chiaki-senpai and also other entertaining
characters like Stresemann. So thank you for all the fond
memories our lovely Nodame and Chiaki senpai!
Credits*: http://www.kawaii-joyuu.com/?p=6421
Movie Rating:
 
(It's
more than just sensationalizing. You'll enjoy it, anyhow!)
Review by Tho Shu Ling
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