We're going to see the movie, Honoka'a Boy today at the Hawaii Film Festival. We've actually already seen the video because our wonderful Tokyo friend mailed it to us knowing we were waiting to see it. Would you believe the day before the DVD arrived, we bought non refundable tickets on line to see the movie at the (HFF) Hawaii Film Festival?
My mother had already read and translated the Japanese language book for us chapter by chapter. She told us how the book emphasized the beauty and loving community of Honoka'a, Art's hometown.
The two central characters (based on real life experiences) are Leo, a Japanese student who goes to Honoka'a to recover from a bruised heart and Bea (a kind, older lady) who takes pity on him. The whole book focuses on the beauty of this small country town and is a journal of the epicurean delights Bea prepared for him.
Art and I couldn't wait to watch the film in the theater. We plunked ourselves down and watched the DVD figuring if we read the subtitles ahead of time we could just enjoy the beauty of the movie at the large screen theater.
What a surprise! A shock?
The movie moves very slowly. Perhaps the director wanted to show the slow moving pace of a Hawaiian country town. They infer that Honoka'a is known for moonbows. Hunh? Since when? An amazing array of characters speak fluent Japanese. OK... this is a Japanese movie, I understand that. But puhleeease.
But the worst insult for us is the way Bea is portrayed. They incorrectly spelled her name Bee in the subtitles. Bea is the mother of Art's childhood classmate and good friend. We felt she was pictured as a rather foolish, eccentric lady attracted to this young student. We sat through the movie upset at what the director had done and what Leo (the author) had allowed. Bea had been kind and generous to him during his stay in Honoka'a and this is how she has been repaid.
A few other people have seen the movie and felt it was touching and beautiful. Perhaps the problem in all this is that Art knew the real Bea and is extra sensitive to her legacy. Perhaps I am just reacting to his feeling of dismay. I don't know. I'll be interested to hear what my mother thinks when we take her to see the movie today.
Oh, what a disappointment when it could have brought such joy. I'm glad you'd already read the book through your mother, at least.
ReplyDeleteVery often authors don't have much control over what a filmmaker decides to do with their story, and many directors prefer 'story' over truth. I'd be curious to read what the author thinks of the movie, and others who were directly involved.
I'm curious about the moonbows now---do they symbolise anything particular in Japan, perhaps, that the director wanted to put in?
I want to see this movie now, just out of curiosity!
there is always that problem when books are made into screenplays and then interpreted by the director.
ReplyDeletethat's interesting how the director can totally change a book. it sounds as if he didn't do his homework.
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ReplyDeleteTime and again a beautiful story has been "commercialized" by adding "action" or sex or other silliness in an attempt to make more money. And usually the true story is much better when left untampered.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why the movie is always a disappointment...actually what I mean is I don't know why they feel a need to change things...like plot and character. Let us know what your mother thinks.
ReplyDeletethe movie sounds nice..
ReplyDeleteIt is always tricky to write a film, based on true life experiences. I, myself, got into trouble with my 2nd memoir, which my aunt hated for its depiction of my grandfather. Just know that one person's recollection will always differ from your own. That's just human nature and can't be helped.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insights, Kay. Didn't know Art was a Big Island guy!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
How horrible for you all. It happens so often in movies because it is someone else's interpretation of a story.
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