Watch Norwegian Wood

Norwegian Wood is a 2010 Japanese drama film directed by Tran Anh Hung, based on the novel of the same name by Haruki Murakami. The movie focuses on the story of a young college student, Toru Watanabe (Ken'ichi Matsuyama), as he navigates love and loss during the politically tumultuous late 1960s in Japan. The film opens on Toru Watanabe, now in his 30s, hearing a song that brings him back to his college days when he first meets his best friend Kizuki. Kizuki has a girlfriend, Naoko (Rinko Kikuchi), and introduces her to Toru. Soon after, Kizuki tragically commits suicide, leaving both Toru and Naoko devastated.

During Toru's grieving process, he becomes closer to Naoko, and they begin a romantic relationship. However, Naoko is dealing with her own demons and eventually checks herself into a mental institution. Toru is left alone and struggling to move on, but finds solace in his relationships with Midori (Kiko Mizuhara), a classmate who is outgoing and vibrant.

The film explores themes of love, loss, and mental health while reflecting on the social and political climate of the late 1960s in Japan. The characters are all complex with their own struggles, and the viewer is drawn into their individual stories.

The cinematography in Norwegian Wood is stunning, with beautiful shots of both urban and rural areas in Japan. The colors are muted and natural, adding to the melancholic yet beautiful tone of the film. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring music by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead.

Ken'ichi Matsuyama brings a raw and honest portrayal of Toru, capturing both his vulnerability and strength. Rinko Kikuchi's performance as Naoko is haunting and powerful, conveying the complexities of mental illness and the pain of loss. Kiko Mizuhara shines as the free-spirited Midori, providing a refreshing contrast to the heaviness of the other relationships.

Overall, Norwegian Wood is a moving and poetic film that explores the human experience in a way that is both universal and specific to its time and place. It offers a glimpse into the emotional turmoil of young adulthood and the ways in which love, loss, and mental illness can shape and impact our lives.

Norwegian Wood is a 2010 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 58.