(Jmoview review) Sakamichi No Apollon / Kids on The Slope

It was in 1966 when the story started. Kaoru Nishimi encountered Sentaro Kawabuchi, an adorable yet rebellious student. Kaoru moved to this village by the hill due to his family. There, he couldn't make friends easily, but Sentaro seemed to be there for him. Their characters are very much different from each other, however, they can complete each other. Among them, tucked away by Ritsuko Mukai, is a beauty of Sentaro's childhood friend. Among the many students who were afraid of Sentaro's crude nature, only Ritsuko was able to overcome Sentaro.

Their friendship started from the underground place of Ritsuko's music store. Under the shop, there was an unexpectedly available a fairly complete musical instrument, starting from a set of drums, piano, bass to saxophone. This is where the three warm relations began. Sentaro who loved jazz music sneered at Kaoru's musical taste. As someone who had learned piano since he was child, Kaoru was raised with his love of classical music. For the sake of getting attention from Ritsuko, Kaoru began learning to play piano jazz.

Kaoru with his love music

 

Aside from jazz music, this story also revolves around the search for identity of Kaoru and Sentaro. Sentaro, who was raised by a family who adopted him, and now had to live with his adopted siblings, always bringing a feeling of discomfort when he was at home. On the contrary, Kaoru, who was seen from a wealthy family, also went through the suffering of an only child who lived in his aunt's family who kept nagging each day. Not to mention, his aunt kept reminding what he should become in the future.

Searching for identity also includes love. Love triangle struck their friendship. Ritsuko has kept her feelings to Sentaro since they were kids, Kaoru who got a crush on Ritsuko quietly, while Sentaro fell in love with an adult woman. Apparently, she was a lover of someone Sentaro looked up to. What a sweet complicated situation. 😘😘 

Kids on The Slope manga cover

 

I had a chance to read the manga version a few months after I learned that the manga would be the live action version. Especially knowing that the main character is Taishi Nakagawa. And Dean Fujioka also plays here!!! Wow ... I can't wait to watch, at that time. Many have had doubts about Taishi's ability to portray Sentaro's rude and cruel figure. But in my opinion, he was quite successful in reviving the figure of Sentaro who was rude, nasty but naive. I think, the development of his acting is quite significant.

As for the cast of Kaoru Nishimi, Yuri Chinen, I first knew him in the live action Teen Bride. His role there didn’t really get my attention, since my attention went to the male lead, Kento Nakajima 😙. But Nishimi Kaoru seems quite suitable for him. The way he played the piano, the way he pursued his lips when he first saw Sentaro playing drums, acting all mighty. It was funny as well as adorable. I heard that he practiced playing the piano for a couple of months to perform as Kaoru. Unfortunately, Kaoru’s sense of being admired by Ritsuko wasn’t explored here. Unlike the anime, which was seen several times, he took off her glasses just because Ritsuko said he looked cuter without glasses! 😁😁😁

Even though I am a musical film lover with classical music as my priority, watching this movie full of jazz music did not bore me at all. Moanin' was the main song I have never heard before. So when I first heard the piece, it made me look for the original version. The most favorite scene was of course when they collaborated playing together, both when they first performed in the basement, in a bar full of foreigners, taunting at their ability to play music, and of course when they appeared duet in the school hall when the electricity went out. Their last duet in the church left curiosity, will Ritsuko sing My Favorite Things? Hmmmm…

Overall, it's very fun watching this live action musical. I don't mind repeating several times watching their scene playing duet. Sentaro-Kaoru's chat scene which ended with tears in both, was really touching. Ritsuko-Kaoru's relationship was almost clear at the end of the film, but I wonder how they really end up in manga version? Anyone can tell me?

 Their first duet without music instrument, just pencils and table 💙

Full casts of Sakamichi No Apollon / Kids on The Slope

Yuri Chinen as Kaoru Nishimi

Taishi Nakagawa as Sentaro Kawabuchi

Nana Komatsu as Ritsuko Mukae

Dean Fujioka as Junichi Katsuragi

Bajaiku Nakamura as Tsutomo Mukae

 Erina Mano as Yurika Fukahori

 Director: Takahiro Miki

Writer: Yuki Kodama (manga), Izumi Takahashi
Producer: Kasumi Yao, Keigo Tanabe, Junya Okamoto
Cinematographer: Mitsuru Komiyama
Release Date: March 10, 2018
Runtime: 120 min.

Kids on The Slope trailer

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