Review of Norwegian Wood (2010) by Trent R — 17 Mar 2011

Terrific soundtrack, cinematography, and fine cast - but this seemed to be trying to evoke the novelistic approach through dialogue in an odd manner. Instead of nostalgic remembrance, we get the characters describing conversations they have had to one another, reading their own letters in voice-over, and generally speaking in an utterly contrived manner bereft of style.

They do succeed at times in getting at the play of words by moving the camera in turns and spirals, focusing on routines of eating, long walks, and other seemingly pedestrian details. At times it is reminiscent of the director's early work in the play of light and rain, and these scenes are more evocative by not trying to hew close to the source material. If you have not read the book, this may be better enjoyed without doing so beforehand.