Nada Sōsō (film)
Encyclopedia
is a 2006 Japanese romance film directed by Nobuhiko Doi. Starring Masami Nagasawa
, Satoshi Tsumabuki
, Kumiko Aso as Kaoru Aragaki, Yotaro Aragaki and Keiko Inamine, the film depicts Okinawan
step-siblings, Koaru and Yotaru, growing up.
) and Best Actress (Masami Nagasawa
) for the 2007 Japanese Academy Awards. However, for the 2007 Bunshun Kiichigo Awards
, Nada Sōsō was ranked 4th worst film and Masami Nagasawa as worst actress.
The Japan Times
' Mark Schilling comments that the film "has the feel of a more hardscrabble, pure-spirited time and place, when struggle, sacrifice and premature death for the virtuous on-screen heroes were as common as chopsticks." Film critic Victor Chan commends the film, saying "Nada Sou Sou boasts of all-round great acting by its cast, and its simple but homely style neatly complements the strong rural Okinawan setting, making this movie a classic triple hanky tearjerker which should appeal to not just the young Japanese movie fan, but also older audiences who have been starved for good tearjerkers." Calvin McMillin, reviewing for LoveHKFilm, criticises the relationship between Tsumabuki and Nagasawa, saying they "do a serviceable job as would-be lovers, but both performances are somewhat problematic in execution. Although likeable enough, Tsumabuki doesn't seem to be able to handle the emotional scenes, as it always looks as if he's going to laugh even when he's breaking down in tears." He criticises Nagasawa's acting by stating "[she] is so over-exuberant (perhaps intentionally so) in the initial parts of the film that she's more of a grating presence than an endearing one. However, Nagasawa's performance improves considerably as the more dramatic aspects of the plot kick into overdrive." He also underlines the film's main downfall in trying to "adhere to the "Pure Love" aesthetic [that] the filmmakers completely gloss over the complications that could arise from a blossoming romantic relationship between these step-siblings by purposely avoiding the issue at any cost."
Masami Nagasawa
is a Japanese actress under Toho Entertainment. She has performed in many movies and television dramas including Crying out Love, In the Center of the World, Dragon Zakura and Proposal Daisakusen. She graduated from Horikoshi High School in 2006. She is also known as "Ma-chan" or, as Tomohisa...
, Satoshi Tsumabuki
Satoshi Tsumabuki
is a Japanese actor. His breakthrough film was Waterboys for which he was nominated for the 'Best Actor' award at the Japanese Academy Awards, and won the 'Newcomer of the Year' prize...
, Kumiko Aso as Kaoru Aragaki, Yotaro Aragaki and Keiko Inamine, the film depicts Okinawan
Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island is the largest of the Okinawa Islands and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and is home to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area of...
step-siblings, Koaru and Yotaru, growing up.
Reception and Nominations
Nada Sōsō was nominated for Best Actor (Satoshi TsumabukiSatoshi Tsumabuki
is a Japanese actor. His breakthrough film was Waterboys for which he was nominated for the 'Best Actor' award at the Japanese Academy Awards, and won the 'Newcomer of the Year' prize...
) and Best Actress (Masami Nagasawa
Masami Nagasawa
is a Japanese actress under Toho Entertainment. She has performed in many movies and television dramas including Crying out Love, In the Center of the World, Dragon Zakura and Proposal Daisakusen. She graduated from Horikoshi High School in 2006. She is also known as "Ma-chan" or, as Tomohisa...
) for the 2007 Japanese Academy Awards. However, for the 2007 Bunshun Kiichigo Awards
Bunshun Kiichigo Awards
The Bunshun Kiichigo Awards , or Bunshun Raspberry Awards are Japan's answer to the American Golden Raspberry Awards, awarded to the worst movies in Japan. It was started in 2004 by the Japanese publication company Bungeishunjū, Ltd...
, Nada Sōsō was ranked 4th worst film and Masami Nagasawa as worst actress.
The Japan Times
The Japan Times
The Japan Times is an English language newspaper published in Japan. Unlike its competitors, the Daily Yomiuri and the International Herald Tribune/Asahi Shimbun, it is not affiliated with a Japanese language media organization...
' Mark Schilling comments that the film "has the feel of a more hardscrabble, pure-spirited time and place, when struggle, sacrifice and premature death for the virtuous on-screen heroes were as common as chopsticks." Film critic Victor Chan commends the film, saying "Nada Sou Sou boasts of all-round great acting by its cast, and its simple but homely style neatly complements the strong rural Okinawan setting, making this movie a classic triple hanky tearjerker which should appeal to not just the young Japanese movie fan, but also older audiences who have been starved for good tearjerkers." Calvin McMillin, reviewing for LoveHKFilm, criticises the relationship between Tsumabuki and Nagasawa, saying they "do a serviceable job as would-be lovers, but both performances are somewhat problematic in execution. Although likeable enough, Tsumabuki doesn't seem to be able to handle the emotional scenes, as it always looks as if he's going to laugh even when he's breaking down in tears." He criticises Nagasawa's acting by stating "[she] is so over-exuberant (perhaps intentionally so) in the initial parts of the film that she's more of a grating presence than an endearing one. However, Nagasawa's performance improves considerably as the more dramatic aspects of the plot kick into overdrive." He also underlines the film's main downfall in trying to "adhere to the "Pure Love" aesthetic [that] the filmmakers completely gloss over the complications that could arise from a blossoming romantic relationship between these step-siblings by purposely avoiding the issue at any cost."