FILM REVIEW
Kiseki: Ano Hi no Sobito
“Kiseki: Sobito of The Day”
Ahmad Ghulam Ghazi
XII MIPA 6
About This Film
Kiseki: Sobito of The Day is Comedy-drama cinema that tells the story of the career journey of the Japanese pop band GreeeeN which skyrocketed after their single 'Kiseki' was released on the market.
Based on a true story surrounding the birth of Japanese vocal group GReeeeN's popular song "Kiseki" which was launched in 2008. "Kiseki" is the main song of the drama "ROOKIES". "Kiseki" also certified as the "best selling download in Japan on June 29, 2009.
Identity/Profile Film
Movie: Kiseki: Sobito of That Day
Romaji: Kiseki: Ano Hi no Sobito
Japanese: キセキ あの日のソビト
Director: Atsuski Kaneshige 「兼重淳」
Writer: Hiroshi Saito 「斉藤ひろし」
Producer: Kentaro Koite
Cinematographer: Mitsunori Kougo
Release Date: January 28, 2017
Length: 111 min.
Genre Film: Music, Drama, Comedy
Distributor: Toei Company, Ltd.
Language/Country: Japan
Casts
Tori Matsuzaka as Jin
Masaki Suda as Hide
Shiori Kutsuna as Rika
Yuna Taira as Yui
Yumi Asou as Tamami Morita
Kaoru Kobayashi as Seiichi Morita
Ryusei Yokohama as Navi
Ryo Narita as 92
Yosuke Sugino as Soh
Eita Okuno as Toshio
Toru Nomaguchi as Masou
Synopsis
In 2008-2009, GreeeeN's Kiseki song bewitched Japan. The song managed to dominate the oricon chart for 2 weeks and the digital version of the full-track ringtone sold over 2.3 million copies making the song listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the most downloaded single in Japan. This film directed by Atsushi Kaneshige tries to tell the beginning of the formation of GreeeeN until the creation of the song. The story begins long before the GreeeeN personnel unite, when Jin (Tori Matsuzaka) the person who would later become GreeeeN's producer is still struggling in his metal band, Pay Money to My Pain.
Jin's musical path is not smooth. In addition to being opposed by his father (Kaoru Kobayashi) who thinks playing music is useless, business demands also force Pay Money to My Pain to be willing to change genres to pop, which is not their interest. The change made Jin and his colleagues no longer able to enjoy their own game. But Jin couldn't help but still have to live it. Because that's the only way to prove to his father that he can make a living through music. Those issues slowly led Pay Money to My Pain to a split.
Using almost half the duration to narrate external figures outside of GreeeeN members, Kiseki: Sobito of That Day creates something that makes it different from many similar biographical films. It's a pity that this section is weak when it highlights Jin's personal conflict with his father. The biggest culprit was the prohibition of the father whose motives were poorly
explored. The reason Morita opposed Jin was only because he wanted his son to be a doctor like himself. If you want to show Morita's concern that wants his son's future to be guaranteed, Hiroshi Saito as a playwright does not firmly describe that side, so what is seen in the father is only a stubborn figure who cannot understand his son's feelings. Yumi Asou, who plays the mother, also makes things worse. In a number of scenes, Asou's actions and expressions seem inaccurate and unconvincing. Even the acting has zero sensitivity. As a result, some of Jin and his father's quarreling moments in which Asou has an important role as mediator as well as the supposedly warm mother-daughter interactions often end awkwardly.
Luckily, in the midst of these weaknesses, Kiseki: Sobito of That Day still has Tori Matsuzaka who is able to control the film. Like Jin who was instrumental in the creation of GreeeeN, Matsuzaka was instrumental in building the emotional foundation of the film. The actor performed solidly presenting Jin's struggle. Later, the struggle has more emotional weight when Jin starts passing his dreams to his younger brother, Hide (Masaki Suda). The achievements he has obtained feel even more touching, because at this point, Jin is no longer pursuing success for himself, but for Hide.
In the second half, after Jin's sister formed GreeeeN with her 3 best friends, it wasn't until Kiseki: Sobito of That Day found the right rhythm of storytelling. Starting from the first time Jin made a sample of songs for his younger brother, the plot moved to be more dynamic. Kaneshige's ability to mix flavors began to show. As shown in one scene when the four members of GreeeeN dance in front of the car lights.
The issue of the father's ban on music, which is now also a burden on Hide's mind, has also improved. Unlike Jin, in addition to loving music, Hide also really wants to be a doctor. The focus of the conflict this time is more about the upheaval of Hide's heart in determining which is the most important thing for his life. It no longer involves a showdown with the father, and Asou's presence is thinning.
Good Positive of This Film
This is a biography film. The film is more publicity than a biography, but one of the best I've seen, its narrative is perfect, cinematography fits the band's very pleasant soundtrack.
The family dynamics, the way the two brothers were so different and yet a family, were nicely chosen as the focus of the drama, rather than the band.
That said, the music was nice and it was interesting to find out how the actual band was created.
Conclusion and Message
Based on the true story of 4 member Japanese pop group "GreeeeN.” Jin (Tori Matsuzaka) is the producer of “GreeeeN” and his younger brother Hide is the lead member for the group. Their song "Kiseki" is released as
their 7th single, becomes a huge hit. Hide and the other 3 members have others jobs including working as a dentist.
The message of this film is that there are many difficulties and various ways to make every dream come true. It has reality and gives many people
dreams and hopes. so we have to chase our dreams even though in front of us there are very painful challenges. GreeeeN can do and dream come true, make sure you can be like them too!