Although I was stuck inside for most of this weekend – winter in Iowa(!) – I did see Hula Girls, courtesy of Netflix.
The film was truly a surprise and goes to show how expert execution — great screenwriting, direction, and acting — can make a story that is somewhat familiar into one that is moving and affecting.
We have several generations of creatives (and audiences) who place such a great emphasis on originality that many of them have forgotten (or don’t value) craftsmanship. This is doubly a shame since a little more craft would make the few original ideas out there shine even more brilliantly.
Anyway, Viz Pictures has a winner with this one, and the preview for the live-action version of Honey and Clover included on this DVD has me sold on it as a purchase rather than a rental. How can I not snag a copy when they include the quote that made me fall in love with the manga in its trailer? (“I just saw someone fall in love in front of my eyes…” The thing is, as a reader and viewer, you DID witness exactly that.)