Densha Otoko the movie - My review

Computer engineer Otaku (the Japanese term for “geek”) is an average young man, dressed in unstylish clothes and dorky glasses. But as luck would have it, he encounters a pretty young woman on a commuter train and saves her from a lecherous molester, falling in love with her at first sight.

A few days later he receives a thank-you message from the woman along with a set of Hermes teacups . Having never had a girlfriend or received a gift from a girl in his life , Otaku seeks out his pals on Internet Bulletin Board (BBS) website for advice using his codename Train Man (Densha Otoko) : “How should I ask her out?” Deeply interested in Train Man’s first love, his BBS pals eagerly supply him with advice. Encouraged by their support, Train Man undergoes a total makeover for his first-ever date with “Hermess.” Little does he know that he is about to ignite an Internet phenomenon ...

I fell in love with this story after I read the manga. I am currently reading the novel (it is hilarious) so I was tempted over the weekend to watch the movie. While it was good, and it actually made me be a little bit tearful, I was a bit disappointed. I don't think people who had not read the manga/novel should watch the movie first. The good part of the story is, of course, the online community. In the book it is like a continuation of a previous thread; Densha's story begins out of nowhere. In the movie, however, he starts a new thread asking for someone to listen to his story. Seven people are his "buddies": 3 gamers, 1 nurse, 1 hikikomori, and a married couple.

I think that, maybe because the movie is shorter, but the netizen did not have a major role as I was hoping. Their advices are less, the fun (except for the 3 gamers) is also less. It is more the story between Densha and Hermes, than Densha and the online community. In that sense, it was a big let down.

Yamada was good as Densha, and Miki also as Hermes. He looks awkward and sweet, although his makeover did not feel too real (since the actor is someone attractive, they made him look "too" otaku before the change). Miki looks quiet and super nice, like Hermes would (in my imagination at least), but there was a scene in the movie I did not comprehend. Why did she run away when she saw Densha in front of the computer, before he decides they were "too different"? Since that is something that Hermes did not do (at least in the manga), it was OoC, I think maybe to make the movie more dramatic.

The 3 gamers were, no doubt, the best of all netizens. They represented how the community really behaved online, with the bombs and their cheers. It did not hurt that 2 of the actors (Yoshinori Okada and Makoto Sakamoto) are always in awesome movies and doramas. They are great! (I am currently watching Sakamoto in Nodame and in Liar Game; this guy is everywhere). Another "Nodame" character: Eita! A bit disappointed in his role, though. He shines wherever he is, but his character, since he is an isolated, gloomy boy, which did not suit him.

Not a bad movie, but I would recommend to read the story first, or the magic would be lost.

**My rating: 6/10**

Nodame Cantabile Sp. 1 & 2 - My review

This 2 night special takes off during their graduation, where Chiaki-senpai & Nodame left for Europe. The first special centered on Chiaki's story, the story tells about Chiaki's dream to be a conductor. Nodame on the other hand attended the conservatory to attain her dream to one-day play the piano for Chiaki. After her hard work, Nodame was given a chance to have a mini recital. During the recital, Chiaki saw her worth and realized that he cannot go on with out her.

This is when Tamaki (Chiaki) starts to look thin :(

The start of the Special 1 is, again, made-up, but -again- it was a positive change. Why? Because we get to see the S-Oke, that is why! All the old members, on their graduation day. Every time they are together, or it shows a memory, or an old photograph of the entire orchestra, I get sentimental... I love this gang so much *sobs*.

Nodame and Chiaki move to Paris, and they meet two new important characters: Franck(u) and Tanya. Again, the casting was excellent! Becky is absolutely perfect as Tanya, with the tacky clothes and make-up (and it still looks so good on her!) and Frank (Wentz Eiji) is cute and kind of silly (I love when he and Nodame meet... one of the highlights of the first Special -maybe). Luckily Nodame is not alone in this foreign country, and quickly she makes friends with them and learns French. And isn't it very original how the show says that, to avoid subtitles, they would make all conversations in Japanese? Not only unique, but so Nodame as well...

So Chiaki gets serious with his learning to be a Conductor, and he cannot be with Nodame all the time. He has his exams, meets Jean and the other Japanese Conductor who is just like the anime (especially his little jumpr when he is conducting!). I was impressed with Yuko's beauty and Jean's japanese. Although there are a few actors where you can tell they do not speak Japanese, there are others who can (like in Nodame's class.. her teacher and classmates), so I was very impressed the dorama could get so many foreign actors who could speak Japanese well.

And typically Nodame, there are a number of new wigs! Like Roland (I don´t understand why the actor had to be Japanese.. it was not necessary. It could have been European, IMO), the little boy Luca (is it really a wig? Looked like his real hair, only dyed), Elise (she is spectacular in every one of her scenes).

Special 2 may be slighlty better than Sp 1, but only in terms of romance. Chiaki shows that he cares for Nodame quite a few times: when he calls and she is with Kuroki-kun; when he buys the necklace; when they have that memorable fight in the middle of a french street; after she performs dressed as Mozart (and gets a sweet kiss... awwwwww); and finally, the last scene, when she asks him his autograph. Wasn't it so cute when he drew that on her cheeks? No, not cute... beyond cute.

One of the best change was that the S-Oske did not disappear... they are still gathering and celebrating in Mine's papa's restaurant, and they get in touch with Chiaki and they cheer for him and Nodame (and Mine for Kiyora.. I admit I got a bit tearful when they talked and he was telling her that no matter the results, he was there for her).

Because it was "only" 2 Specials, 2 hours each, they had to cut a few things that I missed, but that I can understand, sadly. Like when Nodame and Kuroki-kun performed as a donkey, or when Kuroki-kun, who was so depressed being alone and far away from home, decided to work hard like Nodame; or the absence of the Chinese Yun-Long.... It was sad that Kuroki-kun did not have a bigger role because I love him dearly, but at least, he is still in the next two movies.

The OST was excellent was always, although I also missed Ravel's "Bolero", which is the main theme in the anime, Season 2. The highlight when it comes to performance was, IMO, when Nodame plays dressed as Mozart. Not only visually, but also the sound.

My rating: 10/10