Review of Hula Girls (2006) by Harriet N — 11 Dec 2007

This is a truly heartwarming film about the development of Japanâ??s first Hawaiian village and the training of its Hula dance troupe. It is set in a small Japanese coal mining town in 1965, during the countryâ??s shift from coal to oil.

The miners are being laid off as demand dries up and the town is attempting an economic makeover by repurposing the mine and its surplus of hot springs as a Hawaiian-themed tourist trap. In thoroughly Dirty Dancing and Footloose style, a group of clumsy young girls with big dreams join the hula class and dramatic scenes with disapproving parents are inter-cut with inspiring training montages.

The gorgeous hula teacher from Tokyo transforms the girls from hopeless misfits into professional artists and freethinking women. The fantastic onstage finale is beautifully shot and, as is the rest of the film, scored brilliantly.

While watching and thoroughly enjoying this film, I realised that if it had of been an American film spoken in English, it probably wouldnâ??t of interested me much. Itâ??s filled with charming moments, great music and the odd bit of hilarity, but the absolute exoticness of this Japanese period piece is the main aspect that kept me interested throughout.

There are a few overly cheesy bits, which is a given with this sort of film I guess, and the plot is certainly predictable. Youâ??ll guess the whole story about 10 minutes into this film - but youâ??ll still enjoy watching it play out.

Itâ??s utterly endearing and despite its faults you are sure to walk away from it with a smile.