Rating: 
Summary: A Collette Collectible
Review: I have to preface this this by saying I am totally in love with Toni Collette in every way I can think of without actually knowing the woman. Her performance in this movie is no exception to her wonderful work.The problem is the movie sucks. No chemistry between Collette and the Japanese guy. Much of it makes no sense (when the car gets stuck: she's a geologist and Australian and couldn't figure out to put sticks and stuff under the wheels? (Heck, I've been an accountant from the San Fernando Valley and that's the first thing I would think of.) Wouldn't common sense tell one not to dive into a pond right next to a tree where the roots are showing in the water? You mean because the Japanese guy takes her cigarettes she never smokes again? Too many things to say here, but if you have the DVD and have seen it with the director and writers commentary you'll see why. They're silly and sophmoric.....kinda like the two PBS radio gals on SNL. Nonetheless, I'm glad I bought the DVD because I'd watch Toni Collette read the multiplication tables. Her performance is awesome. Decide for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: What is the hype about?!
Review: I popped in this movie, made a hot cup of chocolate (call me cliche) and plopped on the couch to watch this "intense flick." Expecting a new twist on romantic adventure, I was unpleasantly surprised. I sat, anticipating the moment this film would become exciting, in-depth, romantic, ANYTHING. Soon the 100 dreadful minutes were over and all I wanted was bed. It left me with nothing but the desire to never sleep with a married man, incase he might die and then I'll have to explain it to his wife? This movie was not beautiful. It was not creative. The acting was effortless. The story was underdeveloped. I would not recommend this movie to anyone, unless you want a prequel to a good nap. I have, however, never visited Australia and was thrilled with the photography. But for that, I would have given it half a star. The only option was one. I rounded up.
Rating:
Summary: Do Not Waste Your Money!
Review: I thought this was a total waste of time and money. It was slow and I never did figure out the point of the movie. The whole thing could've been summed up in about 10 to 15 minutes and still have the same overall affect on its viewers.
Rating: 
Summary: Lost in Translation and Walkabout rolled into one
Review: It is very well photographed, well acted movie. Some critics
raised issue with a slow pace of the second half of the movie.
I tend to believe that it was a deliberate choice of director
to slow time to the point when it was creating claustrophobic
(chronophobic?) almost painful atmosphere. I found it very
psychologically true and moving. If you liked Lost in Translation
or Walkabout you will like Japanese Story.
Rating: 
Summary: Underrated Little Gem
Review: Japanese Story is a good film, let me be clear about that.
It might not be the masterpiece that the Australian Film Board Awards (the equivalent of the Oscars and Baftas) thought it is, winning a lot of nominations, but it is nevertheless a well acted and directed film.
A love story with a twist between an Australian geologist played to perfection by Toni Collette (and a well deserved award for her role) and a Japanese business man, played by Gotaro Tsunashima in his first feature role, the film does offer a fresh treatment of the cross cultural romantic encounters that I thought very few films approached.
Without spoiling the twist in the film, I very much believe that Japanese Story has been misunderstood and its points missed on many,and hence my desire to write this review.
A business road trip with two very unlikely characters from two different worlds, leads rather maybe predictably to a connection that is strengthened after a night lost and spent in the vastness of the Australian desert.
Many reviewers have thought that this romance was rather very quick and not quite believable, but I think differently..In real life, there are countless examples of instant infatuations' or 'love at first sight' and while this is not the case with our two leads, it somehow makes sense that the sharing of hardships between them , the subdued humor of Gotaro, the loneliness and increased interest of Colette might very well have led to love.
(A rather distant example can be made with the romance of Dr Zhivago and Lara, when they were thrown by circumstances together, irrespective of the established lives they had outside their relationship)
The sad and unexpected ending where Colette shows her finest acting to date, is touching, because she realized how much she cared for him after the incident..as if he has revived feelings she tried to hide or did not take seriously, until too late.
So in that respect the film works beautifully..
Although some of the conversations between the two were rather weak, it is the whole atmosphere of the film, the beauty of the vast and empty spaces,and the bonding of two people in unconventional and potentially dangerous situation, that I found was well done in the film..
There are some love scenes as well, one of which I found surprisingly very erotic and tastefully done.
Japanese Story is a quite, sweet and sad little film that soothes the eyes,and moves with its fine acting and competent direction. Compared to many similar films of late, it is far from bad, and definitely worth a look.. or two..
Rating:
Summary: Polar Opposites Stripped Bare In the Australian Desert
Review: JAPANESE STORY is simply one of the finest films to be released in 2003. Why this extraordinary work didn't garner more publicity and attention in this country is unexplainable, but perhaps now that this rather unique and intimate story can be viewed on DVD it may hopefully gain the access into the hearts and minds of the general populace it so very much deserves. Australia. Geologists. Contemporary political and economic push pulls between overpopulated and commerced Japan and the vast emptiness and opportunity of the Australian outback. These topics do not seem to contain a fragile story, but that is exactly what these ingredients serve us. Sandy (Toni Collette in yet another superlative performance, this one clearly her breakthrough role that establishes her as one of today's most important actors) is a bored, frank, coarse geologist who is asked by her boss Baird (Matthew Dyktynski) to serve as 'tour guide' for a visiting Japanese businessman whose company's interest in Baird's abilities could be the important step in his future. Sandy balks but submits and meets the very rigid Tachibana Hiromitsu (Gotaro Tsunashima) and off they go to visit not just the lands represented by the company for whom Sandy works, but also the Pilbara Desert at the insistence of Hiro. There is a complex and entertaining struggle of wills which culminates in an impossibly awful 'bogging down' of their vehicle in the sands of the desert. In the middle of nowhere the essentials of surviving - and relating - create a chemistry that beautifully and subtlety bonds the two. Each gives the other the gift of an Open Heart. The remainder of the journey includes a pitch perfect climax and it is the management of this change that reveals the strength of that formed relationship. What has been a delicately humorous movie becomes a moving story about need, trust, and coping. Director Sue Brooks brings out the very best in all her actors and has elected a cinematographer to survey Australia as beautifully as any movie in memory. A fine story with many layers of meaning and an absolutely brilliant performance by Toni Collette make this a must see for everyone, no matter your taste in movies.
Rating:
Summary: An intricate portrayel of love and the events that shape us
Review: Normally, in Hollywood films, pivotal events in a character's life are not allowed to interrupt a budding love. Well, 'Japanese Story' is not a conventional desert romance, so if you expect over-arching happiness, stop reading and walk away. Director Sue Brooks and lead actress Toni Collette as Sandy, an ambitious geologist, have an obvious care for Sandy's emotional maturation, and hold the uniqueness and relevance of the film over the desire to please. These wise decisions on Brooks and Collette's part immediately cause 'Japanese Story' to be far better than most love stories. In fact, 'Story' comes close to transcending formulaic exploration of love. Unfortunately, the film stretches on for far too long in its beginning when Sandy meets Hiromitsu (Gotaro Tsunashima) and is borderline stereotypical in its portrayal of Hiromitsu, hindering its potential to be great. However, the film comes alive when Hiromitsu and Sandy begin to grow close, their relationship culminating in a tender love scene that is more of an intelligently handled confirmation of understanding than sex. From here, we too are included in their relationship. We are allowed to see its details, which Toni Collette is able to portray most intricately. Her performance is surprisingly strong. I have not seen her carry a film, and here she does exactly that with power and dimension, visibly portraying her character arc. You believe Hiromitsu is able to disregard cultural differences and discover in her what was missing in his life, as desolate prior to meeting Sandy as the desert they lose themselves in. I would continue exploring the film's quality and direction if the untimely occurrence before the film's final third weren't such a necessary surprise. Now, all I can tell you is to go see the film for yourself. I have done my job. It is your turn to be entranced by this epic, but intimate romance.
Rating:
Summary: a beauty worthy of making Mishima cry
Review: Please do not misconstrue my first statement. This is not a movie which begs for your sympathy rather it commands your attention for the whole length of the movie. After a long long time you see great (I really mean it) photography only expected from very few directors. I can watch this movie couple of times just of the cinematography and frame composition. Every frame can be in our drawing room as a piece of art.
The movie has a very abnormal story line - first an affair between a Japanese businessman (Gotaro Tsunashima), and his Australian guide (Toni Collette) then a bizarre twist. I will not mention the twist so that you do not loose interest in the movie. The travels through the Australian Pilbara desert is breathe taking and blow your socks off. This is like a massive clash if culture which turns in a melting spot of two completely diverse characters completely in their own terms without any compromise. While watching the movie sometimes you feel like reading Kawabata again you get back to the Aussie world and immediately you are transferred to the world of Mishima's romance and melodrama. I was little disappointed with the dialogue and expected little better. The background music can win an academy (please remember all movie do not need a Stravinsky with Karajan as the conductor). To summarize rarely you come across such a good movie so watch it if you can. This is not a Hollywood movie so it will not be nominated for 12 academy awards neither it is about some historical religious hysteria. This is just about 2 people in love.
Rating:
Summary: Not Another Road Trip Flick
Review: Starts off as a Lost in Translation clone, turns tawdry, and finally mutates into Weekend at Bernie's, as Toni Collette ponders 50 uses for a dead body. In other words, has the minimum requirements to be a cult favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Love and Hate in the Desert
Review: This is a strange little tale about a woman geologist assigned to drive a Japanese investor around Western Australia. Toni Collette is absolutely natural and unvarnished as a brash and somewhat crude young woman who makes it quite clear she doesn't relish a trip in the desert with this Japanese bloke, whoever he is and however important he might be to her firm. Gotaro Tsunashima is excellent in his film debut as the young Tachibana Haramitsu, a man with the usual angst of the young Japanese, who have too much responsibility and an equivalent amount of sensibiltiy to be affected by the pressure-cooker lifestyle. Sadly, the film takes shortcuts to the drama and then gets as bogged as the Land Rover in the peak event of the film (no spoilers here) This event has the effect of a nine-inch long nail puncturing a tire. After the air is let out, it's hard to get the film rolling again, though Collette makes the most out of the script. I liked the film a lot, especially for some deft camera work, good acting and the music. I think there were some flaws for which I knock off a star, but overall, it is a worthy small film, well worth a look. The extras are merely commentary by director Sue Brooks and writer Alison Tilson, delete scenes and some trailers and a photo gallery. It's 100 minutes long--not a major work but a fine small film. 4 stars. JLD
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