Review of Norwegian Wood (2010) by Settimio P — 12 Mar 2011

I enjoyed much of this film, the cinematography in primis, which seemed very effective in creating a meditative space framing the characters' turmoil, as well as capturing the stunning human and natural landscape.

The music by Jonny Greenwood was also a pleasant surprise, elegiac and sombre at times, sinister and tragic at others. The cast delivered outstanding performances, I liked in particular Rinko Kikuchi, whose character seemed also the most complex; Kikuchi looked convincing as the vulnerable, tormented and mentally-ill Naoko.

The pace of the film seemed a bit out of balance: after a summary beginning, time stretches considerably; this on the other hand brings the love triangle between Watanabe, Naoko, and Midori into focus and gives the film a defined core.

Nonetheless the length of the feature was an issue. After Norwegian Wood, I look forward to other adaptations of Murakami's novels.