Rippu Van Winkuru no Hanayome (2016)
Genre: Drama / Mystery
Duration: 118 minuten / 179 minuten
Alternative titles: A Bride for Rip Van Winkle / リップヴァンウィンクルの花嫁
Country:
Japan
Directed by: Shunji Iwai
Stars: Haru Kuroki, Cocco and Gô Ayano
IMDb score:
7,1 (2.521)
Releasedate: 17 March 2016
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Rippu Van Winkuru no Hanayome plot
The expatriate teacher Nanami meets Tetsuya through a dating site and soon decides to marry him. She has very few family or people who care about her. Out of shame about this in front of her partner, she visits an agency who asks them to send people to her wedding for a fee, who then have to pretend they are her family.
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Actors and actresses
Nanami Minagawa
Yukimasu Amuro
Mashiro Satonaka
Kayako
Tetsuya
Yuto Takashima
Harumi Minagawa
Katsu
Saeko
Hironori
Reviews & comments
Black Math
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- 5430 messages
- 1753 votes
I also started this film without prior knowledge and was surprised by the length. Most modern Japanese films are a lot shorter anyway. Perhaps because of the lack of interest at times, but overall this was an interesting film.
In the first part we get a glimpse into Japanese culture, such as keeping up appearances by hiring actors to pass for relatives at weddings. Or that women are expected to stop working once they are married. I've read about this before, so I'm familiar with it, but they are still separate phenomena.
The last part is the strongest in my opinion; in this it revolves around Rip van Winkle and the poetic power of Iwai comes out best. I was a bit apprehensive about the lack of poetry, because the main character is very naive, which is certainly taken advantage of, but ultimately not in the way I expected. So it doesn't end in a tough film like Sono's, as I was a bit afraid at one point. Emotionally, the most beautiful scene was with Rip van Winkle's mother. Very strong acting.
Visually beautiful, especially here in the last part with, for example, the fluorescent jellyfish. The soundtrack was classical, which is ultimately my favorite genre. Some nicely chosen pieces, but some are a bit too familiar. The use of Air on Bach's g string as film music is a bit too cliché, for example.
In the end, I think that the film will be slightly better with a revision. That is also why 4 * and not lower.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Arnie
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- 1082 messages
- 1890 votes
Enchanting film, although I hardly know what I've been watching for 3 hours. The narrative is certainly not standard, and even the theme/message is not completely clear to me. A kind of mosaic of experiences in post-modern society, with criticism of capitalism, traditions, loss of identity, all in one character, and in a story that lasts 3 hours but never gets boring. What is good and what is not is not so relevant; the main character lets herself be carried away by the current. Amuro's role also remains unclear; the viewer knows he's the great manipulator, but this plot line doesn't actually get to a denouement, because Nanami simply accepts his influence in her life. I find that refreshing and interesting.
Furthermore, visually beautiful (for example the jellyfish mentioned), and the beautiful scene with the two brides is downright magical. Criticism is indeed the rather clichéd and even somewhat annoying choice of music. Although it falls perfectly in the opening scene.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
I was very much looking forward to this movie. The playing time scared me a bit, but that was not too bad. The plot in particular fascinated me and it is always surprising to sniff out other cultural habits from a Western point of view. For example, I found it intriguing that Nanami hired people to play her family at her wedding. For appearances, for the prestige of the others to indicate that she is of a certain origin.
The film further evolves and takes a different path. I also didn't find the film very clear at times. Naivety and submission seem to be second nature to Nanami as she allows herself to be manipulated by her new girlfriend.
Visually and in terms of acting very strong film. Rhythmic and poetic with great care for the cinematography. I let myself be carried away by the film. Couldn't take in everything Iwai meant with his story, but still enjoyed it.
Translated from Dutch · View originalLatest News
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