Hana Yori Mo Naho
Movie Title: Hana Yori mo naho
Released in Japan: 2006
Directed by: Hirokazu Koreeda
Starring: Junichi Okada, Rie Miyazawa, Tadanobu Asano, Ryo Kase
Synopsis:
Set in 1702, plot pivots around Aoki Sozaemon, aka "Soza," a shy young samurai who has come to the bustling town of Edo (now known as Tokyo) to look for the man who killed his father, Jubei Kanazawa.Soza is reliant on money sent from his dojo, or fencing school, to bankroll his mission of revenge, but funds are fast drying up. In the squalid tenement area where he lives, the locals are a motley crew, clever Sadoshiro exploits Soza's gullibility by continually claiming he saw Kanazawa, particularly in restaurants, thereby getting Soza to pay for a free meal. Ruffian Sodekichi, who resents samurai, is hostile, and humiliates Soza in a street fight, proving that Soza is actually a rubbish swordsman.
Thoughts:
Usually I'm not drawn to these samurai type movies, unless there is someone in them that I like. Well, that would be Junichi Okada from the group V6. I feel like he's a good actor. Another fan-favorite would be Tadanobu Asano (he's alright, but sometimes his movies are just too weird for me) Plus, this was produced by Koreeda. His past movies were "Nobody Knows" which is heartbreaking and "After Life" which is very eye opening and touching. =)
Edit: movie is out with english subs
Trailer:
Website:
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