tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020624963640834095.post8049069069074985480..comments2023-05-02T01:13:12.026-07:00Comments on sitenoise at the movies: Harmful Insect (Gaichu) [2001] • JapanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020624963640834095.post-21144424967473593542009-09-17T14:30:54.001-07:002009-09-17T14:30:54.001-07:00I think you're right about the Sachiko/Natsuko...I think you're right about the Sachiko/Natsuko relationship and the point when Natsuko realizes she's lost Sachiko was almost as powerful as the end of the film. I wish, in looking for good things to say about this film that I would have mentioned it. <br /><br />I haven't thought of Miyazaki's career arc so much but as you mention it she was at a point the queen of independent disaffected youth. She's great. I recently watched Eureka, a film I can easily describe as a masterpiece, and Miyazaki, at like 12 years old, and without saying a word, is mesmerizing. A real talent.sitenoisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14026224029440247436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2020624963640834095.post-39480845018278376462009-09-16T23:48:28.952-07:002009-09-16T23:48:28.952-07:00I'm such a huge fan of Miyazaki's earlier ...I'm such a huge fan of Miyazaki's earlier work (Eureka, A Blue Automobile) and her performance here is one of my favourites. (And if I remember correctly, she was only 14 at the time of filming.) At such a young age, she was already so captivating an actress; when I think of youth alienation, I think of Miyazaki. It's a real shame, then, that her more recent works have left me largely unaffected.<br /><br />But onto the film, I think you've left out an important relationship -- that between Sachiko and Natsuko (Yu Aoi), that ever-optimistic classmate and pillar of strength.<br /><br />**SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN**<br /><br />I thought the Sachiko/Natsuko friendship was the hightlight of the film. I loved how Natsuko waited outside Sachiko's home every morning without fail. I felt for her when she stepped aside, giving up her crush because she thought the relationship might offer Sachiko some stability. And my heart sank with her expression as she fumbled with her baton, preoccupied with the thought that she's lost her friend once and for all.<br /><br />As for the ending, I thought it was befitting, depressing as it was. I can relate to the desire of wanting Sachiko to find even a morsel of happiness, of hope, but at this point, when the train has already derailed, it would have come off as a cop-out. Besides, I kind of like the symbolism of Ogata and Sachiko missing each other by seconds. It seemed representative of their relationship. Even though he was her only confidant, their mode of communication (snail mail) meant that they were always too late with their words.<br /><br />And lastly, a big thanks for uploading that clip. It's one of my favourite scenes and I wish I had it handy at an earlier time!lynnoreply@blogger.com