First of all I want to say that the song Norwegian Wood is really good.

However, this thread is about the movie. (potentially the book as well, but I haven't read it)

Just watched it and I loved it! Got really surprised when I saw that it only had gotten 6.6 in score on IMDB. Anyone else watched it? What do you think?

How's the book?

Also, does anyone know about other japanese or korean movies in the same style?(either the story or just generally the visual style etc, or both)

dementus

Singapore1151 Posts

September 09 2011 23:17 GMT

I've a copy of it that I'll get around to watching soon and would be happy to discuss with you when I do! I've read the book though so I have to ask: is it faithful to the novel?

I'm afraid I don't have movies in that similar vein to recommend, although I suggest you give Mother a go. It's quite depressing and heart-warming though, so if it's not quite your bag then feel free to listen to other recommendations. For what it's worth, it's a Korean film so I guess I'm not entirely off-topic here

CoolSea

United States236 Posts

September 09 2011 23:23 GMT

The book is, in many ways, much more expansive and deep than the movie is (as is the case with many other book to movie conversions). If you haven't read the book yet, I highly suggest that you do, especially if you enjoyed the movie. It was written by Haruki Murakami back in 1988 and was the book that rocketed him into superstardom and fame among the younger generation. I suspect that if you enjoyed the movie as much as you did then you'll enjoy the book as well as all of his other novels. A lot of movies are similar to Norwegian Wood; I guess that Spring Snow is somewhat like it in terms of lost love and longing. It's a Japanese movie so it may be somewhat difficult to find.

If I think of anymore movies that resemble it I'll try to post again later.

P.S. Murakami is by far my most favorite modern author.

procyonlotor

Italy473 Posts

September 09 2011 23:35 GMT

Norwegian Wood was the second book by Murakami that I read, though by the time the movie came out I knew it wasn't his best work (though it was the book that made him famous commercially). The film wasn't bad but it wasn't great either, much like the book, although after saying this I might have to go and reread it just to make sure (

).

As far as movies like Norwegian Wood go - meaning about people who are hurt but unable to express their pain - I think you might find some resonance in Hirokazu Koreeda's films (Wonderful Life, Still Walking, Distance), and in Takeshi Kitano's Dolls and perhaps even Hanabi.

I don't have much knowledge of Asian cinema, but those are two directors I greatly admire, so give them a try if you aren't intimidated by arthouse.

IzieBoy

United States865 Posts

September 10 2011 01:17 GMT

A good friend recommended Sputnik's Sweetheart to me by Murakami. It was pretty good with the characters and overall feeling, but the setting and customs weren't very apparent at least for me.

Espelz

Germany813 Posts

September 10 2011 01:19 GMT

It is hands down my favorite Murakami book and I read it a few times now.. you should definitly go read it ! (And his other stuff too, though it differs alot, not that much in quality, but in "How much mysticism/fantasy/strange/weirdstuff is woven into the story ... if you want a list of Murakami recommodations / more infos just PM me something

I could go on forever talking about Murakami, but I´m quite tired right know.

+ Show Spoiler +

Did I mention THAT YOU SHOULD READ NORWEGIAN WOOD ???????

Arnstein

Norway3381 Posts

September 10 2011 08:38 GMT

I will probably buy all the books by Murakami, but right now I have 1 dollar in my bank account, and won't get more until the 15th, so I can't buy them right now

Thanks for all the movie recommendations as well!

keit

1584 Posts

September 10 2011 09:14 GMT

Afaik the movie is a bit more gloomy than the books, with some added sentimentality and stuff.

Not one of my favourite books by him either, I prefer The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles and Kafka on the Shore even though they are a bit strange.

Don't miss his new book 1Q84 which will be out the 25th of October.

konadora

Singapore66063 Posts

September 10 2011 11:24 GMT

i finished the book a month or two ago, it was beautiful. i haven't picked up a good book in years, but this was one of the rare few books that i felt connected to the characters. they felt real, they felt alive. the characters were developed so beautifully.

definitely read the book. might try the movie someday.