Give "Go" a go ;-)

In the midst of my last minute efforts to swat for my final exam, I somehow ended up watching one of my favourite Japanese films , simply entitled "Go" tonight - I blame it all on Erin who, having finished her finals a couple of days ago, is basking in the delicious light of freedom while her brother Mark and I frantically prepare for tomorrow's impending doom. (Ahh...freedom...so tantalizingly close but still a full 12 hours away.....)

Anyhow...back to "Go" ; confirmed if only by its incredible popularity in Japan, "Go" is an extremely well executed movie if you can stand subtitles (or if you can speak Japanese). It remains entertaining all of the way through thanks to the support of a great cast and an interesting storyline which openly flirts with the ongoing reality of overt racism against those of Korean or Chinese descent. It follows the life of a teenage boy named Sugihara who is of Korean descent but was born and raised in Japan. He lives with his parents who love him but find it difficult to show it, often resorting to humorous violence as a means of expression. His first true love, Sakurai, is a quirky character (she refuses to tell Sugihara her first name out of embarrassment, and freaks out if she sees a falling star while with a boy) but the two are well matched, and the obstacles involved in racism are well portrayed through their relationship.

The story itself is an enjoyable story narrated in first person by the main character himself who, while trying to convince the viewer that this is "a love story through and through" often unintentionally sidetracks to scenes of his dad wailing on him in a one on one boxing match, violent encounters with yakuza gangsters or out-running a train just for the fun of it. While these violent scenes are always humorously portrayed, there is definitely an undercurrent of seriousness in the issue the director is trying to present - namely that racism's niche has not been erased from society though the Japanese might try to ignore it. Nevertheless, there are many touching scenes between Korean and Japanese individuals, such as the conversation between a bumbling police officer and Sugihara, to provide hope when it seems there is none.

Yosuke Kubozuka (also in Ping Pong - another good movie) who plays Sugihara is probably one of the best Japanese actors on the scene today. To my disappointment, I have found that most Japanese actors are devoid of talent perhaps due to either lack of training or simply lack of the expectation to strive for, shall we say, Hollywood or European acting quality. However, Kubozuka was a pleasant surprise and has greatly matured from previous roles I have seen him in. On a sadistically funny note, he just recently survived an 85 foot fall from a high rise building without breaking any bones! That boy has been dancing with death, I tell you! And if he disappears, there will be near zero talent left in Japan! No, I'm just kidding...seriously...*ahem* (apologies to all people who think otherwise)...

Yes...so that is "Go"...I give it four Heather Heads out of five...and I recommend you allllll watch or thou shalt be struck down by the wrath of me...and it ain't gunna be pretty. ;-)

Tomorrow, I think I am going to watch Hiroshima Mon Amour. I have been dying to see that one, though I am usually not a fan of 1950's films. Well, I'll give it a go either way!