Wôtâ bôizu

This film is about five students from a boys school getting into the synchronised swimming team.

"Waterboys" is a positive sports comedy. The five students have quite different personalities, but they all pursue a common goal of excelling at synchronised swimming, which is something they have never dreamed of doing. I thought it might be hard to fill up the screen time as most of the film is about how they train, yet it never feels boring. in fact, there are many funny moments standing out from a positive and upbeat background. The ending, which is their performance, is spectacular. I hope there will be more films like this.

Five adorable and well-meaning misfits at a Japanese high school try to organize a synchronized swimming team, but their early efforts at a routine end in disaster. They persevere, and with the help of a Dolphin Trainer from the local aquarium they eventually get it right and earn the respect of their peers.

This was a wonderful movie. I thought it was hilarious beginning to the end. The formula of the movie has been done over and over again, a group of underdogs who rise to the occasion and prove all their doubters wrong. Yes it was a regular Hollywood-ish formula, but the actors were so enjoyable to watch, that it was really fresh to watch. The fact it was a story about a male synchronize swim team is already groundbreaking in my eyes. I enjoyed the facial expressions from both Sato and Suzuki during moments of disgust and surprise. And the Sea World Man is so funny. He resembles my uncle so much. I would definitely buy this movie and highly recommend it. Be forewarned, there are scenes that may offend people who aren't used to the culture of metro sexuality and/or homosexuality. If you can get past all that, you will truly enjoy this movie.

Waterboys is a zany, sweet comedy about a group of boys who get roped into starting a synchronised swimming team, and then have to get together a routine for an exhibition in a few weeks time! It's fun stuff that aims low and hits hard. There are lots of great sight gags and other slapstick comedy, but there's also an interesting love story and fantastic acting from the boys.

The film rolls along at a great pace, with Yaguchi a talented director treating us to lengthy tracking shots and other technical flourishes. The film never bores and always pleases, and as we head towards the climax, the comedy keeps coming, and the final 'routine' will delight you with its genius. A fun, endlessly rewatchable madcap comedy.

It's a Japanese comedy about a group of male synchronised swimmers - how cool is that!?

Well, "not very", you'd be forgiven for thinking... certainly I wouldn't have been interested, if not for consistently positive low level press amongst the internet community. Thankfully, the warm response is quite justified - Waterboys takes its seemingly mundane premise (perhaps more resonant in patriarchal Japan) and turns it into a delightful little comedy.

Suzuki is the only member of the swimming team at Tadano Boy's High School... until the new swimming teacher arrives and she is an extremely "hot babe". Suddenly everybody wants to be on the swim team... until they discover that what she teaches is Synchronised Swimming. Apparently, this is considered an extremely non-manly thing to do in Japan. Only five pupils decide to stick with it anyway, for personal reasons that you will discover through the course of the movie. Everyone laughs at them, ridicules them and above all doubts them... so naturally the impetus to succeed is strong.

Waterboys is a genre movie at heart, taking the standard sports movie misfits and putting them through trials and tests to see what heights they can rise to under pressure. Nothing too surprising, but it's all dressed up quite charmingly here. Quirky characters genuinely engage your interest and affections, and the humour is brisk and mostly absurd. The script treads familiar ground without it ever seeming tired or cliched, finding new ways of exploring each situation. It's a funny movie, a very sweet movie and a highly enjoyable one.

Recommended.