Made-for-TV "weeper of the week" movie, based on the true story of KITAHARA Kazunori who was diagnosed with cancer in high school. The infinitely likable pop idol NINOMIYA Kazunari stars, with competent support from the other actors.
The story follows Kitahara's life from school athlete to his dealing with Ewing's Sarcoma. Strangely, the movie is not about his battle against the disease, but his struggle to fulfill his duty to his parents. He decides his best legacy would be to pass the university entrance exam.
Kitahara kept a journal of his thoughts during this time, which his mother later published as a book, and which served as the basis for this story. Some photos of the real Kitahara appear in the movie.
The power of the story comes from the knowledge that this is a true life tragedy and not from any filmic craft involved. The doleful production is straightforward and surprisingly passionless. The performances are subdued, even eclipsed by the events represented.
A welcome break from the drama-by-numbers direction is when the Kitahara family is out for a walk and begins spontaneously to sing "Ue o muite arukō"("Sukiyaki" to Westerners) which is about being optimistic in the face of life's trials.
All in all, it's a personal story given a respectful but very conventional handling.
I'll guess that actor "Nino" went bald for this role since he was going to need short hair for his excellent role in "Letters from Iwo Jima", released later the same year.
