Norwegian Wood

Editorial

Tokyo, 1968. students are in revolt, as pupil Toru (Ken'ichi Matsuyama) watches his life unravel: his friend Kizuki (Kengo Kora) commits suicide, he falls for Kizuki’s ex, Naoko (Rinko Kikuchi), before the emotional torment lands her in a sanatorium. Based on Haruki Murakami’s novel of the same title, Anh Hung Tran’s adaptation is a sumptuous experience ('60s Japan is a dream-like world of beguiling interior design and stunning landscapes). In the novel, events are filtered through naive youth and the nostalgic 37-year-old narrator. However, his solipsism and fear of women infect the film, turning a lyrical exercise into a cold fashion show representing all women as totally nuts. Hard to take, no matter how many perfect sofas and shorelines are on show.

Exquisite to behold but tricky to penetrate emotionally.

Andrew Male