Jamie passion and passionfruit!

Japanese Story

If nothing else, this Australian movie has some different elements, most notably the scenery of the West Australian desert and a rather different interracial love story between an uptight Japanese businessman and a disaffected Australian geologist.  It has quite a languid pace as well which changes in the last third after a major plot development.  But is it the great film which led to a slew of Australian film awards?  Perhaps not but this does not detract from its many qualities.  First of these is Toni Collette who gives a superb performance, especially in the last few scenes where she really conveys all her innermost feelings and shows the range of talent she has.  Then, we have an intelligent script, good photography and excellent music, which blends sort of bush sounds with traditional Japanese folk music.  To top it off some good local Aussie pop.  I enjoyed Japanese story – it will make you think – some perhaps more than others and it has similarities to movies like Brokeback Mountain in providing us lessons to jolt us out of our comfort zones.

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