Fish Story (2009)

Director: Yoshihiro Nakamura
Producers: Yasushi Udagawa, Hitoshi Endo
Screenplay: Yoshihiro Nakamura, Tamio Hayashi

Starring:
Kengo Gora as Goro (Vocalist)
Kiyohiko Shibukawaas -(Drummer)

Toshimitsu Okawa as Ryoji (Guitar)
Atsushi Itō as Shigeki (Bass)
Mikako Tabe as Masami (Student girl)
Gaku Hamada as Masashi (Driver)
Kenjiro Ishimaru as Taniguchi (Cult leader)

Music: Kazuyoshi Saito
Cinematography: Takashi Komatsu
Editing: Yoshihiro Nakamura
Release Date: March 20, 2009 (Japan)
Running Time: 112 minutes
Language: Japanese

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

Fish Story: A Love Letter to an Underrated Gem

Here I am, after my third watch of Fish Story. A movie that I absolutely love and always lingers in my mind after watching it. I haven't come here to tell you the plot, but to connect with those who've seen it and to encourage everyone who hasn't. This review could save the world someday because you've decided to watch the movie and you are an integral part of the plot to save the world from impending doom.

The Power of Music and Storytelling

This movie, based on the novel by the GREAT Kotaro Isaka, tells a story about the power of music. The central theme of the film is the idea that music can transcend time and influence events in ways we might not expect. It's about the interconnectedness of life, hope, and resilience. Every character in this movie, in their different timelines, faces adversity and finds ways to overcome it. It's about the underdog triumphing, the idea that perseverance and staying true to one's passion can eventually lead to recognition and impact, even if it takes time. The film's narrative, with its unlikely connections and miraculous outcomes, invites you to reflect on the nature of stories and how they can inspire and transform reality.

Technical Brilliance

Moving to more technical details, the cinematography is absolutely great with each decade having different colors and feels to it. The acting might not look great sometimes, but for me, the fact that I can't really understand their language makes it a non-issue. The characters look great, so no problem there. The dialogues are interesting in their variety. I especially like the record store scenes, which I find very funny. The contrast between the chilled-out record store clerk and the eager doomsday cult leader is awesome to watch. There isn't much more music apart from the song "Fish Story," but the ones that come into play feel genuine and played by a real band, and that sense of realism, if absent, would ruin the whole movie. There are some references to American movies that, for someone born in '87 like me, are fun to watch, like Karate Kid and Armageddon. Yoshihiro Nakamura is a genius director who pays attention to every detail in his movies. I'm interested in reading the books by Kotaro Isaka thanks to him.

Personal Connection

This movie resonates deeply with me because I used to have an obscure punk rock band that did some direct take recordings and a few shows (you can listen to it here. It's really bad, I must warn you, but I love the song I wrote when I was 15 called "New World". You can also check out another band where I played guitar here.) On a silly side note, I also used to work in a place called Fish Planet, and another of my favorite movies is called Fish Tank, which has a similar message about resilience and hope. I also say the word "Fixe" a lot 😅, which sounds exactly like "Fish" and means cool in European Portuguese.

Go watch Fish Story now, and remember to take it slow. It might feel boring sometimes (you will get a cool action scene in the middle to wake you up), but the end will reward you big time with its butterfly effect.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you carry this torch in order to save the world.

🎥 Cinematography (10/10):

The visual storytelling here is top-notch.

📖 Story (10/10):

A powerful exploration of how music can shape our destinies. The narrative weaves characters and timelines into a rich tapestry of resilience and interconnectedness.

🎬 Direction (10/10):

Nakamura's deft handling of the story’s complexity shows his skill, bringing vibrant life to each scene with precision and creativity.

👥 Characters (10/10):

You got to love the band Imperial Wrath, or Gekirirn.

💥 Visual Effects (10/10):

Not applicable.

🎭 Acting (10/10):

The language barrier may obscure nuances but doesn’t detract significantly.

💬 Dialogue (10/10):

Varied and engaging.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (10/10):

The depiction of different decades through distinct visual styles effectively sets the tone and enhances the film’s immersive quality.

🎵 Music (10/10):

Centrally crucial. If you don't like punk rock energy, this might not be the movie for you. Better watch some other stuff grandpa.

😄 Entertainment Value (10/10):

Might feel like a slow burn on the first watch, but stick with it for the action scenes and the profound ending that masterfully employs the butterfly effect.

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