Norwegian Wood

Adapted from the novel by acclaimed author Haruki Murakami, the Japanese youth drama Norwegian Wood is a decidedly international affair: directed and adapted by French-Vietnamese filmmaker Tran Anh-hung, with a Japanese cast, cinematography by Taiwan's Mark Lee Ping-bin, songs by the German group Can, and a hushed score by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood. Set amidst the youth culture of late ‘60s Tokyo—where student protests erupt on college campuses and sexual liberation is in the air—the film stars Ken'ichi Matsuyama as Watanabe, a student who escapes into books after his best friend's suicide, and Rinko Kikuchi as Naoko, a childhood friend and girlfriend of the dead boy, now a fragile being unable to relate to most people. Scarred by the suicide, Naoko retreats into a secluded sanitarium, where she is visited by Watanabe, who is also being courted by free-spirited Midori (Kiko Mizuhara). An uneven if beautifully filmed portrait of emotionally fragile and devastated young adults—albeit presented in a story more touching than engaging—this is a strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)