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Rinko Kikuchi Starring in Film Adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood

Posted on Thursday, May 14th, 2009 by Devindra Hardawar

rinko_kikuchi

I’m not sure how I missed the news that Haruki Murakami’s tremendous novel Norwegian Wood was being adapted to film, or that one of my favorite little-known directors, Tran Anh Hung (Cyclo, The Scent of Green Papaya), was helming the project. If so, my mind would have been slightly more prepared to absorb the casting news we’ve received today.

Kenichi Matsuyama, best known as L in the live action Death Note films, has been cast as Toru Watanabe, the main character in the film. More interesting to me (and I assume all of you) is the addition of Rinko Kikuchi, who has made her mark with Babel and The Brother’s Bloom, has been cast as Naoko, the emotionally trouble love interest who causes all sorts of heartache for Toru. The book is essentially a tale of Toru’s love life in his younger days, but as with everything Murakami it’s also so much more.

I count the novel as one of my favorite books, and after countless readings I can’t think of a more perfect casting choice for Naoko than Kikuchi. The story pretty much revolves around her, and Kikuchi has demonstrated that she can play emotionally fragile characters very well in Babel.

The notion of Tran Anh Hung adapting Murakami is sort of mind blowingly perfect. Both are famous for presenting vivid images to their audiences via their respective mediums, and both also love to incorporate Western pop culture into their work. I know Hung may not exactly be a household name, even for cinephiles, but all you have to do is check out his film Cyclo to recognize his talent.

If you want a quick example, check out this iconic scene from Cyclo (which remains my favorite use of Radiohead ever in a film):

Take a look at the trailer for Cyclo to get a better sense what the film is about, and rent it on Netflix! Anh has also been working on an international thriller starring Josh Hartnett and Elias Koteas, which is unfortunately titled I Come with the Rain. You can find a rough trailer of the film (meant for distributors) here.

Tran Anh Hung’s Norwegian Wood adaptation is currently scheduled for a fall 2010 release.

Source: Variety

Comments

SomeGuy

Excellent. Not familiar with the novel, but I'm a big fan of Tran Anh Hung- Scent of Green Papaya is one of my favorite films of all time.

Chris

What does this have to do with the Beatles?

BlackKotae

From what I remember when I read and had to discuss the book for a class.. it kinda follows the "plot" of the song.

I wish I could remember more, but it has plenty to do with it, even if it never appears in the actual novel.

Keyser Söze

Chris,

This novel has everything to do with the Beatle's entire catalog. It is a work of art and Murakami is a genius in every sense of the word. Essentially, a rendition of the track Norwegian Wood triggers a flashback which is essentially the novel as a whole.

I don't think this will succeed as a whole. The story is far too complex to be put to film. I always thought Murakami's stuff would translate amazingly well to cinema, but why start with one of his more ambitious novels? I would think starting with a sweeter simpler novel like South of the Border would be a great idea.

Anyways, it'll be interesting and looks somewhat promising. Though, to me, it will come down to the casting of the character Midori.

fdsghsdgvsa

I also think it is hard to transfer the novel into a film

Roark

Where the hell is Tran Anh Hung's..."I Come With The Rain"? its been forever it seems

lyn

It's opening in theatres in Japan on June 6...finally.

freemachine

Beatles or the Stones? (Beatles for me.)

ANGRYBROOMSTICK

This is cool. and I NEED to read Haruki Murakami's novels. I keep hearing his name all the time, but shamefully, I haven't read any of his works yet.

Devindra Hardawar

He's one of my favorite authors, so DO give him a shot :) Start with Norwegian Wood, then check out Hard Boiled Wonderland at the End of the World, and The Wind Up Bird Chronicles.

Devindra Hardawar

He's one of my favorite authors, so DO give him a shot :) Start with Norwegian Wood, then check out Hard Boiled Wonderland at the End of the World, and The Wind Up Bird Chronicle.

Devindra Hardawar

He's one of my favorite authors, so DO give him a shot :) Start with Norwegian Wood, then check out Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, and The Wind Up Bird Chronicle.

Ron

Norwegian Wood is a good one to start with, I think. It's definitely one of his most grounded novels. Some of his other books like Wild Sheep Chase or Kafka on the Shore are big on magical realism, if you're more into that though.

Keyser Söze

Kafka on the Shore is excellent. Though I think the easiest intro reading of Murakami would have to be South of the Border... Excellent novel, just kick back one afternoon and enjoy.

Lenny

I've only read the Wind up Bird but I loved it so I can't wait to see a movie based on his work.
Dug Rinko in Babel as well so bring it on!

Meli

Devindra, you've caught my interest, now I feel the need to go out an purchase this book. I'll also take your recommendation on Cyclo and add it to the queque.

I didn't care too much for Babel, but I thought Rinko was fantastic in the movie. I've only ever seen Kenichi as L and enjoyed his is performances.

Devindra Hardawar

I agree with you on Babel. I don't think the film ultimately worked, but I do consider her storyline as one of the bright spots--

mrmarkrobson

i really loved south of the border west of the sun, like norwegian wood, it is one of the more less...bizarre...stories hes written

Alex

norwegian wood is awesome, it's kind of like catcher in the rye

Ghost

I actually think the casting for this film is bad. Kenichi Matsuyama is nothing of what I imagined Watanabe to be. And Rinko obviously seems more fit to play Midori then Naoko. And the person model never before acted to play Midori? That just seems all wrong to me.

fiEkHa

whaaat...??? norwegian wood movie?? really curious to watch it! especially with kenichi matsuyama as watanabe?! WHoa!

Valparaiso Landscape Lighting

I always liked movies with Asian actors. I was browsing some nice movies on the Internet, and this is one I found very interesting and many people warmly recommended it. Firstly I think I'll read the book though. I found the books always better than the movie adaptation, am I right?

breasticlez

The casting of Matsuyama as Toru isn't bad. He's proved his worth as an actor and may actually be able to pull off the aloof, melancholy essential in Toru's character.

However, the actresses that are set to be play Naoko and Midori don't match the characters at all. I am not casting aspersions on their thespian ability but rather, plain and simple, their APPEARANCE. Kikuchi is positively hideous. Can't say much about Mizuhara either. Her mouth is too big and she has a bulbous nose.

Before a movie can even succeed, foremost, its image must be right. Naoko is pretty. Midori is pretty. Kikuchi and Mizuhara are not. It's deceptively simple really.

1. Naoko and Midori are pretty.
2. Pretty actresses that fit their respective images are scouted.
3. Pretty actresses that fit their respective images are casted.

Simple sylogism really. I'm very disappointed. I love Norwegian Wood to bits.

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Rinko Kikuchi Starring in Film Adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood

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