i didn’t really think misaki and kafuku’s relationship was supposed to have a romantic aura in the first place. i thought kafuku treated misaki more of a daughter since he and oto never had to see their own child grow up to be the age at which misaki is right now
Finally watched this movie last night and was absolutely blown away. One of the most visually captivating movies of the last few years, and just crushing on the emotional scale in all the best ways. Great video!
Here after completing Happy Hour. Took three sittings but I wish I could've done it in one. And I love that you talk about it here because it really seems to be Hamaguchi's seminal work. You lose track of time, almost, watching for hours and hours.
Nothing wrong with multiple sittings, kind of makes it like a little miniseries! I completely know what you mean by losing track of time and I think it's proof of Hamaguchi's method, like there are definite lulls but like I always felt like I was sitting in the room with them even if the scene was boring. The scene where they're in the workshop is the best example of this, it felt like the awkward energy of those kinds of things was happening in my room with me. Neat stuff.
Happy Hour is a three part movie so I think there is nothing wrong with it taking three sittings. My favorite movie of his is Intimacies. It also has amateur actors like Happy Hour. Though I think you might not be able to find it outside Japan. It is even hard to find in Japan.
Just watched this last night (so I'm going thru video essays as one does) and wow is this a wonderfully subtle, calm and understated movie. I quite liked your analysis, and I am looking forward to checking out Happy Hour as well (as soon as I find five hours to spare haha). Also, I really like how you used the ost from the movie in the video! One of my favorite aspects of the film without a doubt, goes perfectly with the cinematography 😌
I love the editting and commentary, its subtle but there's great personality there and I'm all for it. Thanks for making this, I'm subscribed now. Looking forward to the next one brother 🤝
@@sadblanket3481 I just watched "Happy Hour"last week. It's a very good movie,the acting was incredible, I couldn't believe they were reciting scripted lines,it was so natural and they weren't even professional actors. I had a little problem with the last hour or so, I won't talk about it if you haven't seen it.
@@davidsheriff9274 Yeah the acting was so natural that by the end you kind of feel like you're part of the group. That could also have something to do with the length of the scenes too. Like the portion where they are doing that wellness program thing in the first third goes so long that you feel like you did it with them.
*minor spoilers for the film Almost fittingly in line with one of the concepts that the film explores towards the end, I interpreted the interview between Kawakami and Murakami as two things being true at the same time. In much of the same way that Oto and Misaki's mother have hurt their loved ones while still having loved them, the same could be said about Murakami's portrayal of women in his writing. He may not intentionally be misogynist, and is clearly well intentioned about women, but a lot of the criticism about his portrayal of women can be attributed to the more complex intertwined systems that lead to both men and women alike to have subconscious patriarchal biases. So, ultimately, the more important conversation isn't whether or not Murakami is actually sexist, or whether Oto or Misaki's mother loved Yusuke and Misaki respectively, but rather what are the things that led to these things in the first place.
I was thoroughly impressed with this video. This is exactly what I look for; quality dissection and discussion. Please keep doing this, I'm very happy to have found your channel.
There is a shot of just the car for a few seconds when they are hugging each other in snow hill. i wondered when that shot came why its there? In the ending scene i realized the red car was parked among all modern cars and red car felt alone/different from others. Then i replayed the ending scene and noticed something ...all the other cars were of hyundai make...i think there is a metaphor there.. some people are red car and some people are the other cars.
Yes, I remember that shot of the car as the two were embracing. I guess it was to show that they had bonded in friendship through their shared experiences and pain, and the car is what brought them together. I loved this movie beyond words, it's one of my favorite films, but I did not like that extended shot of the car. It was way too long, and it seemed a little too obvious and spot on. I would not have put it in.
The appearance of the car in the film definitely has thematic relevance all the way through. I think the ending specifically suggests it's metaporical place in the lives of these two characters.
You skipped(probably didnt know it existed) the best Murakami adaptation its by far Tony Takitani really hidden gem, and there is the anime series Haibane Renmei( influenced heavily by Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World)
The short story his wife is telling him about the breakup in the film is from another short story (Sheherazade) in Men Without Women yes. Also the story is shared by a character in the short story in a similar manner as the film, so in a way it was adapted as well.
Short stories make better films because the directors can tell the story readers expected to see plus flesh them out. Novels get reduced for film which is upsetting to readers.
No that's a song from the film, like much of the music in this video is. You're not wrong to assume that though, I have used music from both Hotline Miamis in other videos. They're fantastic.
He's commited suicide, but the point is that Misaki growing up and SHE is the hope at the least of the story and have a lovely life with future, like the symbolic "daughter" of Kafuku & Oto , remember the daughter of your marriage died soon and he and his wife really never recover of this tragedy and, in fact that's the secret plot of the "infidelity" of Oto
imagine a short story of 50 pages will turn into a 3 hours movie. there's no way norwegian wood can be done in 1.5 hours. norwegian wood the movie was poorly made in my opinion. there is no way one will understand the movie without reading the book. there are just too many details in murakami's books that made them hard to bring to the screen.
Great. But, the review waivers around points, instead of making them. Sometimes, just say nothing while the video explains or illustrates the point you have just made. Try to sound engaged. Maybe ask more questions, then wait, then answer them. ❤
wait, that was supposed to represent the main character's communication problems? dang! I thought it was supposed to be a Japanese thing. * facepalm * I feel like an idiot now .
I'll have to read Kino again and get back to you. When I was researching the video I didn't really find anything noteworthy in reading Kino so I kind of shelved it in my brain. It's been awhile but I'm pretty sure Hamaguchi outright stated he used elements of Kino alongside the other two.
I'm 2 years late. There's a line directly lifted from Kino, at the end of the short story. It is said by Yoshi when he talks about the whole lamprey story - about how sometimes you might not know what might be in the heart of the person you love. But you can know what's in your own heart and come to terms with that. The short story ends with the main character seeing his own hurt and admitting his grief
"communication is key, live laugh love, honesty, know yourself, tear down your emotional walls, forgive and forget, we need to look in on ourselves." cliche trite drivel.
Happy Hour is a bleak depressing melodrama. where every male character is depicted as evil. female strife is tough am I right. in Drive My Car the female driver is pure fiction, completely invented most drivers in Japan are male, sorry. And commenting on it in the film just calls more attention to the poor writing. Should have come up with a better story device of the two characters meeting.
I've got to say I almost turned it off 10 minutes in when he comes home, finds his wife getting railed and slinks out like it was his son is in a 1v1 on CoD Modern Warfare 2.
It's the whole point and journey of the film though really, after watching it I nearly felt the same way but its just really beautiful if you take it all in and realise what the message of the film is saying.
i didn’t really think misaki and kafuku’s relationship was supposed to have a romantic aura in the first place. i thought kafuku treated misaki more of a daughter since he and oto never had to see their own child grow up to be the age at which misaki is right now
Yes!!! Agreed!
You probably have never read Murakami
@@pstrokeslibsarctic yeah if it was written fully by murakami, they would’ve banged
@@i_Amazin_ coomer
@@sethrogaine GIGACHAD yes.
But in reality, many many many of Murakami’s female characters are just sexual goals for the main character.
Finally watched this movie last night and was absolutely blown away. One of the most visually captivating movies of the last few years, and just crushing on the emotional scale in all the best ways. Great video!
That was very well made, you deserve more recognition
Agreed!! Truly impressive, lucid, heartfelt, deeply researched, and very admirable.
Here after completing Happy Hour. Took three sittings but I wish I could've done it in one. And I love that you talk about it here because it really seems to be Hamaguchi's seminal work. You lose track of time, almost, watching for hours and hours.
Nothing wrong with multiple sittings, kind of makes it like a little miniseries! I completely know what you mean by losing track of time and I think it's proof of Hamaguchi's method, like there are definite lulls but like I always felt like I was sitting in the room with them even if the scene was boring. The scene where they're in the workshop is the best example of this, it felt like the awkward energy of those kinds of things was happening in my room with me. Neat stuff.
Happy Hour is a three part movie so I think there is nothing wrong with it taking three sittings. My favorite movie of his is Intimacies. It also has amateur actors like Happy Hour. Though I think you might not be able to find it outside Japan. It is even hard to find in Japan.
Just watched this last night (so I'm going thru video essays as one does) and wow is this a wonderfully subtle, calm and understated movie. I quite liked your analysis, and I am looking forward to checking out Happy Hour as well (as soon as I find five hours to spare haha). Also, I really like how you used the ost from the movie in the video! One of my favorite aspects of the film without a doubt, goes perfectly with the cinematography 😌
awesome analysis, would love to watch more of your content
Thanks, working on more now!
Thanks for another great video, I can't believe you haven't blown up yet but I'm glad to be here.
Toko Miura, as Misaki, gives as perfectly crafted a performance as I have seen in a very long time.
Your work is inspiring man such a deep and well written understanding of this film keep up the work
I love the editting and commentary, its subtle but there's great personality there and I'm all for it. Thanks for making this, I'm subscribed now. Looking forward to the next one brother 🤝
Great video, keep them coming!!
great analysis and flawless montage!
Love this video. I just watched it yesterday and will definitely go seek out Happy Hour.
I can't stop thinking about Happy Hour even now. It's still on the Criterion Channel I believe.
@@sadblanket3481 I just watched "Happy Hour"last week. It's a very good movie,the acting was incredible, I couldn't believe they were reciting scripted lines,it was so natural and they weren't even professional actors. I had a little problem with the last hour or so, I won't talk about it if you haven't seen it.
@@davidsheriff9274 Yeah the acting was so natural that by the end you kind of feel like you're part of the group. That could also have something to do with the length of the scenes too. Like the portion where they are doing that wellness program thing in the first third goes so long that you feel like you did it with them.
The red car reminded me of late ozu red tea kettle
Definitely got Ozu vibes. Relationship dynamics as well.
@@sadblanket3481 most definitely your videos are great by the way keep it up
Thank you for such videos❤️❤️✨
The king has returned
absolutely brilliant video! love it !
*minor spoilers for the film
Almost fittingly in line with one of the concepts that the film explores towards the end, I interpreted the interview between Kawakami and Murakami as two things being true at the same time. In much of the same way that Oto and Misaki's mother have hurt their loved ones while still having loved them, the same could be said about Murakami's portrayal of women in his writing. He may not intentionally be misogynist, and is clearly well intentioned about women, but a lot of the criticism about his portrayal of women can be attributed to the more complex intertwined systems that lead to both men and women alike to have subconscious patriarchal biases. So, ultimately, the more important conversation isn't whether or not Murakami is actually sexist, or whether Oto or Misaki's mother loved Yusuke and Misaki respectively, but rather what are the things that led to these things in the first place.
Very well made, really enjoyed your perspective and all the a analysis you did on this
I was thoroughly impressed with this video. This is exactly what I look for; quality dissection and discussion.
Please keep doing this,
I'm very happy to have found your channel.
This made me feel super warm this morning. Thanks for the kind words.
Drive My Car was brilliant.
But Burning? That was the film of the DECADE.
Burning rules so much.
Bro u sound amazing
Dont know if you noticed this : Hamaguchi used the music mentioned in the short story "Men without women" for the movie.
A Murakami adaptation wouldn't be complete without it!
you just earned a well deserved sub! great video :)
There is a shot of just the car for a few seconds when they are hugging each other in snow hill. i wondered when that shot came why its there? In the ending scene i realized the red car was parked among all modern cars and red car felt alone/different from others. Then i replayed the ending scene and noticed something ...all the other cars were of hyundai make...i think there is a metaphor there.. some people are red car and some people are the other cars.
Yes, I remember that shot of the car as the two were embracing. I guess it was to show that they had bonded in friendship through their shared experiences and pain, and the car is what brought them together. I loved this movie beyond words, it's one of my favorite films, but I did not like that extended shot of the car. It was way too long, and it seemed a little too obvious and spot on. I would not have put it in.
@@davidsheriff9274 I really liked it. The car deserves love and attention too, it's like a portrait :)
The appearance of the car in the film definitely has thematic relevance all the way through. I think the ending specifically suggests it's metaporical place in the lives of these two characters.
You skipped(probably didnt know it existed) the best Murakami adaptation its by far Tony Takitani really hidden gem, and there is the anime series Haibane Renmei( influenced heavily by Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World)
Perfection analysis
fantastic analysis, thanks
Tony takitani is another great murakami adaptation also.
Wow I had no idea this existed! Thanks for the recc, friend!
I just watched that, I thought it was not a very good movie. Just my humble opinion.
Subscribed, thanks!
Is the story his wife tells in drive my car based on something or is that story also in Murakami's "Men Without Women"?
The short story his wife is telling him about the breakup in the film is from another short story (Sheherazade) in Men Without Women yes. Also the story is shared by a character in the short story in a similar manner as the film, so in a way it was adapted as well.
Short stories make better films because the directors can tell the story readers expected to see plus flesh them out. Novels get reduced for film which is upsetting to readers.
Great video
great breakdown
Beautiful.
Thank you
Is the second song (0:41) from Hotline Miami 2?
No that's a song from the film, like much of the music in this video is. You're not wrong to assume that though, I have used music from both Hotline Miamis in other videos. They're fantastic.
Just one question, why did Misaki drive alone at the end of the movie, where was Kafuko?
Kafuko gave his car to Misaki, and Misaki left Japan and went to Korea. Both of them moved on with their lives.
He's commited suicide, but the point is that Misaki growing up and SHE is the hope at the least of the story and have a lovely life with future, like the symbolic "daughter" of Kafuku & Oto , remember the daughter of your marriage died soon and he and his wife really never recover of this tragedy and, in fact that's the secret plot of the "infidelity" of Oto
imagine a short story of 50 pages will turn into a 3 hours movie. there's no way norwegian wood can be done in 1.5 hours. norwegian wood the movie was poorly made in my opinion. there is no way one will understand the movie without reading the book. there are just too many details in murakami's books that made them hard to bring to the screen.
Great. But, the review waivers around points, instead of making them. Sometimes, just say nothing while the video explains or illustrates the point you have just made. Try to sound engaged. Maybe ask more questions, then wait, then answer them. ❤
wait, that was supposed to represent the main character's communication problems? dang! I thought it was supposed to be a Japanese thing. * facepalm * I feel like an idiot now .
What elements of "Kino" was in the film?
I'll have to read Kino again and get back to you. When I was researching the video I didn't really find anything noteworthy in reading Kino so I kind of shelved it in my brain. It's been awhile but I'm pretty sure Hamaguchi outright stated he used elements of Kino alongside the other two.
@@sadblanket3481 I guess the connection was that Keno was dealing with his wife's infidelity like Kafuku was.
I'm 2 years late. There's a line directly lifted from Kino, at the end of the short story. It is said by Yoshi when he talks about the whole lamprey story - about how sometimes you might not know what might be in the heart of the person you love. But you can know what's in your own heart and come to terms with that. The short story ends with the main character seeing his own hurt and admitting his grief
can you please tell me the name the piano music thank you!
Hey. all of the music in the video comes directly from the film's soundtrack. Check it out!
@@sadblanket3481 thank you very much
"communication is key, live laugh love, honesty, know yourself, tear down your emotional walls, forgive and forget, we need to look in on ourselves." cliche trite drivel.
I thoroughly enjoy your username.
Murakami is unadaptable for film period. Exclamation mark
I watched this and for me it was a letdown, didnt really get the hype around this movie, felt boring imo
Did Driving Ms Daisy and Green Book get married and have a bastard child?
Happy Hour is a bleak depressing melodrama. where every male character is depicted as evil. female strife is tough am I right. in Drive My Car the female driver is pure fiction, completely invented most drivers in Japan are male, sorry. And commenting on it in the film just calls more attention to the poor writing. Should have come up with a better story device of the two characters meeting.
I've got to say I almost turned it off 10 minutes in when he comes home, finds his wife getting railed and slinks out like it was his son is in a 1v1 on CoD Modern Warfare 2.
Hands down the most boring experience of my life. I think if I would of paid money for this I would of seriously have to fight somebody
Why do they call you the Bicycle Man?
Why do you get aggressive over boring movies? Sounds like you got unprocessed frustrations.
@@DarkAngelEU if u thunk being bored over a movie is aggressive then u r a twinkle cake
@@thebicycleman8062 lol ease up fella. You're the one who said you would have to fight someone if you actually paid to watch this movie.
you’re not special, neither is ur opinion.
I wasn't a fan of the film...way too many scenes of a saab driving in and out of tunnels..I never want to see another tunnel ever again
I also don't like that trip because it feels too overt (and I don't recall it from the book).
It's the whole point and journey of the film though really, after watching it I nearly felt the same way but its just really beautiful if you take it all in and realise what the message of the film is saying.
Thank you for the link too and the Happy Hour recommendation, thank you 🤍
Happy Hour is his best film and all of his films are great! Always happy to pass that on!