BarbaraB-2

There are some fine moments in this nicely photographed Japanese movie about a young girl with AIDS who faces discrimination from the residents of her hometown. But the story is predictable and derivative -- we've seen it all before. The only thing different here is the locale, and even that isn't exploited enough to make this film stand out. And, although the film maker's heart is in the right place, it verges on a preachiness that is a bit heavy-handed.

I should have stopped watching after the first 15 minutes. Instead, I wasted two precious hours of my life on this drivel. Gaping plot holes, explanations that make no sense whatsoever, and even a stupid blooper (be sure to watch the glass door shatter BEFORE the can hits it). The surest sign that they KNEW they had a turkey on their hands is the fact that they were desperate enough to put a scene with full frontal female nudity in it -- and believe me, it wasn't going to be enough to titillate even the most hormone-charged adolescent male.

This is far more than the charming story of middle-aged man discovering the pleasures of ballroom dancing (although it IS that as well). It's the tale of one person learning to love life again, pushing past all the pressures of work and money to discover joy once more. The bonus in this film is a fascinating insight into the slowly changing attitudes of modern Japan toward everything from ballroom dancing to physical contact. There are scenes that will make you laugh out loud ... a few where you'll want to get up and tango ... and many others where you'll just feel good.

This is a great introduction to contemporary Japanese filmmaking for those who might be under the impression that all Japanese movies are "heavy" and inaccessible.

The acting in this film is first rate. Keitel and McDowell are both superb, as are most of the supporting performers. Unfortunately, the rest of the film doesn't quite live up to their talent. The plot is too small, too contrived, and the actions by Keitel are in contradiction to his characterization. Although it has its moments and is a gentle little film that can help you pass a couple of hours, it won't stick with you and it's not nearly as heart-warming or touching as the blurb on the box would lead you to believe! More likely, as it ends you'll shrug and say, "Oh well, that was okay."

Of course, I kept thinking about how typically American the film was. Only in this country would a coarse, poverty stricken, beer-guzzlin' mountain woman be played by the gorgeous Andie McDowell!

What a wonderful movie!! Like so many foreign language films, the plot line takes second billing to the marvelous acting and, in this case, to the stunning photography. But the plot is strong enough to carry the story along and get and keep you interested. We quickly grow to like and be concerned about the two lead characters, and I loved the way their relationship developed without the sugary sweetness too common in American films.

For me, an especially great part of the film was the photography of Brazil -- the beautiful colors and images made a tremendous impression on me. (Personal aside -- I'm redecorating my house at the moment and I kept pausing the film to announce "that's the color I want the walls to be!")

One other thing I love about this film is that it is so typically un-American. Here, we would have cast Sharon Stone or some other gorgeous woman to play the lead. Only in foreign films do they dare casting people (particularly women) who look REAL!

I can't believe I wasted two hours on this drivel. I guess it had *some* redeeming value, since I didn't turn it off after the first few minutes, but I wish I had. The plotline was tortuous, the effects mediocre, and the dialog atrocious. I had gotten it for the special effects and even those were disappointing. And the ending... blah!