O Menino que se Tornou uma Estrela

I saw this on an airplane recently. There it was titled- Shining boy and little Randy. A very goofy name. It is actually a beautiful film. The story is very touching and it is shot wonderfully. Yuya Yagira is once again great in this film. His previous film, Nobody Knows is one of my all-time favorites. This film is one of my most memorable films this year. It is very funny at times and then heartbreaking at sometimes. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more poignant. I think this film ranks among the other great animal films like The Black Stalion and Never Cry Wolf. I was very inspired by this film and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.

I saw "Shining Boy and Little Randy" - the English title of this movie, on an airplane flying home after 5 months in Thailand (which probably makes me partial). It's the story Tetsuo, an unpopular Japanese boy whose strange family has its own zoo at home. Tetsuo's mother gets rid of most of the animals to realize her life-long dream of having her own elephant, aka "Randy". When he feels a special bond and ability to communicate with Randy, Tetsuo persuades his mother to let him go to Northern Thailand for two years to become a mahout (elephant trainer). Unlikely I grant you, but don't be put off. In Thailand he learns a lot about elephants, himself and life in general. Upon return to Japan he uses what he learned to try to teach something to the rest of the world. This is a simple and beautiful little film with a couple of guaranteed tears, and an ending that would make a wax figure cry. It is great for the whole family (those able to read subtitles anyway). Don't miss it. I ended up watching it 3 times in a row and want the DVD.

This is a true story of Japan's first ever mahout named Sakamoto Tetsumu. As a teenager, Tetsumu had a tough relationship with his friends and family. Until he met an elephant named "Randy," Tetsumu realized that he had a talent and could get along well with elephant. He then decided to come to Thailand and trained himself to be a mahout - the first ever Japanese to do so.

Yuya Yagira, a boy who won best actor at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival from his debut movie "Nobody Knows," is starring as Tetsumu Sakamoto. This might be a strong point for advertising the film as everyone would still remember him. The boy is certainly a good actor but as the film was mainly shot in northern part of Thailand and Thai language is extensively used in film, Yuya's Thai accent is annoying. This might not be a problem if you don't know any Thai words. However, as a Thai, I felt distracted every time he tries to speak Thai.

The story itself is touching and true to life. Comedy elements are added in the movie to soften the main dramatic theme. Watch out the last scene when you might get carried away and cry your eyes out. If you are animal lovers, especially elephant, I am sure you would love this movie. At least, you would see a lot of scenes showing off intelligent Thai elephants. I am sure Tourism Authority of Thailand would love to see this movie promoting Thai elephants.

Sayuri Sakamoto wrote a novel based on a story of a kid who was rejected by the world in many ways. His determination led him to more rejection that, in the end, metamorphosed into respect from the others and self assurance for him. The story soon shows unexpected turns and grabs you without mercy. Tetsu's story (our main character in the novel and the film) is sad and difficult, but his will, heart and purpose will lead him to his goals, mostly rejected by the elder.

The film takes the novel to a stunning adaptation. I can say, for sure, that this is the way a film should be done, in all respects. Humour, deep entertainment, a troubling insight of a teen's mind, a respectful view on things we usually don't or can't understand, and a beautiful way of telling it with all the technical resources we have at hand to tell a story.

The performances in this film are perfect and very complicated. Yûya Yagira (Yuyi, of Dare mo shiranai fame), again, delivers a super- powerful rendering of the troubled main character with just 15 years and carrying most of the weight of the film on his slender shoulders. The rest of the cast is superb and acting is pretty well ahead of any mainstream film.

Te complex nature of the novel called for a super-complex achievement on film. Shot both in Japan and Thailand, it takes us to breathless places, peoples and scenery. But, more complicated than all, tells the story with almost religious reverence. Shunsaku Kawake, the Director, did a job to which I take my hat off and will cherish and thank for the rest of my life.

The score by Ryûichi Sakamoto is so beautiful and in sync with the story you'll feel it should have been there from the beginning -and not even notice how powerful it is.

The amount of emotions is pretty hefty. To us, Westerners, it may seem quite subdued. Truth is, they're as raw as they come in Asian culture and I thank the producers not to let out of the film this essential treat.

Yuyi is a story apart. Watch him work his magic and you'll understand why he is one of the big guys on the Japanese scene, even when he's got just a couple of films.