(Jmovie Review) Almost A Miracle

 

Other title: The World of Machida-kun

Original Title: Machida-kun no Sekai (町田くんの世界)

Director: Yuya Ishii

Writer: Yuki Ando (manga), Sho Kataoka, Yuya Ishii

Producer: Naoki Kitajima

Release date: June 7, 2019

Run time: 119 minutes

Genre: teen, comedy

Distributor: Warner Bros, Japan

Casts:

Kanata Hosoda

Nagisa Sekimizu

Takanori Iwata

Mitsuki Takahata

Atsuko Maeda

Taiga Nakano

Sosuke Ikematsu

Machida kun, “I like people”.

Inohara san: “I hate people”.

Yoshitakan san: “The world is full of malice.”

Three characters with very different points of view of the world they live in. They accidentally come across and share their views.

the manga cover

One day, Machida-kun got hurt from his art class, he went to infirmary to get treated. He didn’t find anyone there, but Inohara-san who skipped class on purpose. Inohara-san couldn’t stand looking at Machida-kun who obediently waited for the school nurse. Inohara-san didn’t have any other choice but treated Machida-kun, instead of the school nurse. She put bandage on Machida-kun hand with her handkerchief. After that, she just left him there. Before she left, Machida-kun asked her that might sound silly to her, why did you skip class? To reply him, Inohara-san said firmly, “I hate people”.

the fear to mingle with others

The next day, Machida-kun returned her handkerchief and said, “I like you”, that left Inohara-san in a shock. He corrected what he said, “I like people”. Hmmmm…. What did he mean by that?

Machida-kun's false confession :D

On the day Inohara-san got her handkerchief back, she wondered what kind of Machida-kun was like.

Let’s discuss some of interesting characters here.

Hajime Machida is kind of student who has average accomplishment in school. In other words, he doesn’t excel in any subjects, either his studies or sports. He has 4 younger siblings that keep him busy doing this and that, not to mention his pregnant mother. Even though he doesn’t excel in anything in school, but he’s very popular in school. He never thinks twice to give a hand to anyone who needs it wherever he is; in a library, parking lot, school corridor, classroom, etc. He willingly gives encouraging support to anyone around him. He’s kind of selfless person who (annoyingly) never thinks about himself. Because of his traits, he’s popular in his school. His encounter with Inohara-san eventually changes the way he thinks about other people, and about himself.

Kanata Hosoda as Machida-kun nailed his character pretty well. I think I’ve never seen him in any drama or movies before. So, the character of Machida-kun might stick to him. His being confused of his feeling towards Inohara-san somewhat made me laugh but also feel sympathy to him. How do you describe someone who never fell in love suddenly realized his feeling by the time his loved one was going away?

Nana Inohara is the daughter of a popular figure (I’m not sure if she is an actress or what). Her mother is popular with some bad rumors that are brought to Inohara’s school. That’s why, it’s quite understandable that she tried to avoid many people by saying that she hates them. She might have tried to fight for the rumors, but gradually she couldn’t stand it. She’s such a loner that she is shocked that Machida-kun knows her by her name. Her hatred to the world and the people starts to change as soon as she gets to know Machida-kun.

Hating and getting rid of

Similar to Kanata Hosoda, I think I’ve never seen Nagisa Sekimizu. But after I checked in asianwiki, I found her name in one drama I watched, Marigold in 4 Minutes. Was she the one who hit on Ai Hanamaki (Ryusei Yokohama)? Well, I don’t really remember. But, as Inohara-san, I guess she performed very well. Her hatred to people around her was clearly depicted on her face. The way she escaped from classes was one way not to interact with people, not to hear bad things about her mother, and ignored other people. Her world really changed after she met Machida-kun. My most favorite scene was when she tried to talk to Machida-kun who didn’t have any clue about her feeling. She was terribly shaking, especially her foot. To be honest, I laughed so hard looking at her. She looked pitiful at the same time hilarious.

Yoshitaka Yohei is a reporter who seeks for gossips and rumors to earn his living. When there's no gossip to cover, he would secretly take pictures of public figures (that might cause it rumors among people) and sell it to newspaper or magazine. There's no news without bad news. That's why, he's obsessed with his own thoughts, 'the world is full of malice'. His encounter with Machida-kun really turn his point of view of the world.

the irritating reporter

Sosuke Ikematsu played as an irritating reporter very well. His portion in this movie is not that much but it really made this movie come to life. What I mean here is, how many times you see negative news, hoaxes, attacking opinions in social media, not to mention in your daily life. How many times you see verbal bully around you, people suffering from bully, and many others? The existence of Machida-kun would give you hope that among those negative things. It's like to see two or more posts about good people that would make you believe that years later the world would still be fine. Just keep on doing good things, simply giving up your seat in public transportation, attentively listening to your partner, giving encouraging comment, like what Machida kun did, that would save the world.

Machida-kun no Sekai is not only romance movie about Machida kun and Inohara-san, but is also about saving the world by respecting others, giving encouragements, spreading love and others. I'm glad I found this amazing movie. I tried to read the manga, but I stopped in a few chapters. I don't have problems with the main casts I mentioned here, but I feel strange with Machida-kun's friends. Almost all of them are popular actors, but the different age is a bit disturbing. Iwata Takanori, Mitsuki Takahata, Atsuko Maeda, Nakano Taiga are too old for their roles as high school students. Didn't the producer think about it? There are many younger actors who can be cast as Machida kun's friends. But, well, the movie was launched and I watched it, and I feel happy with the movie. So, what else can I say?

This movie is highly recommended for you who are now feeling you're not satisfied with yourself, or feel discouraged because of some personal problems. Just see around you. Look from different point of view, the way Machida kun did. You'll feel blessed.

Machida-kun no Sekai/ almost A Miracle trailer 

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