I think that comparing a movie adaptation to the book rarely yields favorable results so I tried to judge this film on its own merits but unfortunately, it falls short both as a stand-alone movie and as an adaptation. Its alternating scenes that are both painstakingly slow and completely abrupt are incomprehensible without having read the book and a disappointing rendition having read it. The book is also a collection of fragmented memories but they last a solid chapter usually and you can get into the story. In the movie, the memories are like 30-second scenes and then a minute of instrumental music. Considering how true they stayed to the original dialogue, it’s really jarring when they introduce random details like Toru constantly sniffing his hand or how Naoko and Toru sneak out in the middle of the night for a walk and she has a breakdown which I think wasn’t in the book. Most of the changes were in the Naoko storyline at the sanatorium. It’s interesting that the movie itself feels heavier and more depressing than the book and yet the ending is much more hopeful. While in the book, we’re left wondering whether Midori still wants anything to do with him, in the film her smile is very clear and Toru’s affirmation of life is unambiguous. Speaking of Midori, I would like to echo a previous blog post about the complete butchering of her character. The actress’s sad, contemplative delivery of Midori’s energetic and life-affirming lines makes her creepy and not at all like the original character. In the book, she’s like this bundle of life among the dead, and in the movie, she’s basically a second Naoko.
I think this movie is a classic case of trying to satisfy the fans of the book and forgetting to make an actual movie. They didn’t take advantage of the visual medium at all. It’s a “talky” movie but still feels much slower-paced than the book. There is a lot of dead time. The set design is nothing remarkable and the soundtrack lacks that particular Western-inspired Murakami flair. It’s a missed opportunity not to include basically any of the pop songs referenced; it would have helped set the proper atmosphere too. The casting is visually spot-on but sometimes the delivery is way off. Yes, Norwegian Wood is a sad book. But it’s also funny at times and lively and enchanting and creates a whole universe that the movie doesn’t even attempt to replicate.
Another aspect that makes the film fall flat where the book succeeds is the “I’m just an ordinary guy, nothing special” protagonist. It works when it’s a narrator recounting stories that happened to him where he’s just kind of passive but the story sweeps you up but when we’re just watching this guy look out a window or listen to instrumental for the 12th time it gets old. Most of the movie is his reaction to what’s happening around him whereas in the book, his reaction to all the events really only becomes a central point in the narrative when Naoko dies. Before that, things happen to him and he just says “yeah right” or “no way.” His silence just can’t carry the movie.
On a positive note, the side characters really do a lot to save this picture. Nagasawa, Hatsumi, Reiko, and Stormtrooper are entertaining and great interpretations of the characters with changes and embellishments where necessary.
In conclusion, I was prepared for disappointment with this movie and still left feeling let down, the most entertaining moments were the Farmer Wants a Wife ads sprinkled throughout the film, curtesy of Tubi.
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