Review of Hula Girls (2006) by Kan T — 26 Nov 2007

A simple, heartwarming film based on actual events faced by the mining town of Iwaki across the '60s and '70s. It's fairly predictable and chock full of cliche and sentimentality, however, Japanese filmmakers are a lot better at telling stories like this than many western filmmakers, without things seeming overplayed and forced.

It helps, of course, when a film has a good director, great cast, and a good combination of writing, acting, music, and all that come together to make a thoroughly enjoyable film such as this despite its shortcomings.

There's certainly a bit of a feministic theme to it worth applauding as well.