Japanese Story
This romantic drama stars Toni Collette as Sandy, a high-strung Australian geologist assigned to escort Japanese businessman Hirotmitsu (Gotaro Tsunashima) on a tour through the outback. Ostensibly he's there to visit the various mines his company co-owns, but his real motives are mysterious and soon he is urging her to drive deep into the middle of the Pilabra Desert. A mutual dislike for one another, enhanced by vast cultural differences keep them at arm's length at first, but when their jeep gets mired in sand in the middle of nowhere, their fight for survival leads them towards a deep human connection. They find themselves falling in love as they drift aimlessly amidst the desolate beauty of the area, but soon comes a sudden, unexpected shock.
Written by Alison Tilson and directed by Sue Brooks, JAPANESE STORY explores the distances between cultures, people, and the vast emptiness of Australia's interior regions. Yet even the spectacular desert scenery can't compete with Collette's complex stunner of a performance. Suntanned, tender, gutsy and raw, she plumbs frighteningly real depths of emotion and vulnerability. Tsunashima is also excellent, bringing simplicity and grace to an enigmatic role.
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Critic's review of Japanese Story
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Enmgrossing drama that begins as a clash between two cultures, one formal, the other casual, and then unexpectedly develops into a moving and emotional study of a woman in crisis.
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33910
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- Halliwell's Film Guide
- 02 Mar 2006 at 15:43
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Most helpful member's review of Japanese Story
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I found this film beautiful, visually and it is refreshing to see a film which studies real life as opposed to fantasy.
I thought some of the scenes ...
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221255
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[Highly rated reviewer]
[Highly rated reviewer]
- Rip
- Manchester
- 20 Mar 2006 at 07:01
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Most recent members' reviews of Japanese Story
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Gotaro Tsunashima and Toni Colette were great in this. I thought it was going to be quite a predictable film at first but then it took an unexpected twist half ...
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1082216
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This was a wonderful film, well acted and very moving with a surprise at the end. I loved it, the soundtrack was great as well.
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1051677
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- a customer
- 15 Oct 2011 at 16:40
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As another reviewer mentioned, the acting in some parts was embarrassingly over the top, and I found on a couple of occasions, the action bordered upon ...
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1028472
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- mabel1
- 15 reviews
- Worthing, UK
- 12 Aug 2011 at 21:20
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