I've been a constant reader of Nakamura Fuminori's works for the last few years. The Thief was the first novel I ever read by him. Last Winter, We Parted was the third novel I read after reading Evil and The Mask. Both novels have been adapted into live actions films since Fuminori's book do very well in Japan and aboard. Last Winter, We Parted's film adaption stars Idol singer Iwata Takanori from J Soul Brothers/Exile, Saito Takumi, Yamamoto Mizuki, veteran Kitamura Kazuki, and, Asami Reina.
A rookie reporter starts to review a famous photographer after he was involved in a murder with his sister. He got off without serving punishment for the crime and the report wants to know the mystery behind the case. A dark tale of wits is about the begin.
This film was very different than anything I would have expected from a live action of a novel. I read Last Winter, We Parted but I don't remember a lot of the story. I've got the outline still in my mind to say the least. It just that the story wasn't bad or outstanding. The book was what it was. Many people outside of Japan don't consider this novel is best work. Neither do I. The Thief still is his best novel which has yet to be topped by his other books. With that being said, his novels are good enough to be made into movies. Another thing that I just noticed is that the books are written loosely enough to be changed around. The film version of Last Winter does this amazingly. I'll even go as far as to state that the film is better than the books. Sometimes the first part of the film can be kind of slow, however the acting makes the plot more exciting. Things really kick off in the way each character interacts with one another. Music plays a huge part in enhancing these conversations of emotion and mystery. I never noticed how much a soundtrack sets the field for emotion like I did while watching this film. Our story builds up in the background while viewers are preoccupied with the acting/music. There's twist and turns that you wouldn't expect no matter if you read the book. Much of the content is changed for the better of the whole story. The most anticipated scene was edited to not seem so C.S.I. cliche…. I was amazed how every aspect of the film was so well balanced. You feel the thrill mixed into mystery paired into romance. Don't read the novel thinking it will be as good as the film. It won't be…. Read the novel for a little insight on what the masterpiece was loosely based on.
Takainori went outside his comfort zone in this film for the risky scenes. The novel can be very graphic which the film conveys without doing too much. Not only these scenes, but he tapes into the deep darkness that exists in most of Fuminori's works. Being able to switch determination for a character during communicating the switch through facial expression is impressive to me. I didn't know he was that great of an actor. I know fans of his are asking me "where I been at?" in their sassy voices. [INSERT ME LAUGHING.] Saito's been around for a long time as an actor who does a lot of strange roles. Hime playing a character involved in a murder isn't a stretch at all. His character was good at playing puppet master with people, including the audience watching. I liked him and Takainori's scenes together because it was like a big joke to Saito's character. Kazuki's role in this film was more of the easier roles that I've seen him in. He could have done this film in his sleep but he does add to the film as a key character. Most of the female cast acted about the same. They all did well for the roles they were given. Reina's acting was perfect for her character and the way she was described in the book. She's a very scary character because of the darkness caused by her past.
Most of Last Winter, We parted is shot ind dark spaces. A lot of the scenes are either very cloudy or in the rain. The shots of the sky are done with big dark clouds rolling across the sky. Scenic shots show the bustling life of Japan. From towns to more rural areas shown in their dark hours. These shots defiantly add a dark depth to the film.
I don't know who makes a film adaptation better than the novel it's based on but director Takimoto Tomoyuki and writer Oishi Tetsuya did the damn thing. Last Winter, We Parted took what needed to be corrected in the book and made things a hundred times better. Check out this film when you get the chance. Reading the original novel wouldn't hurt either.
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