Review of Handsome Suit ハンサムスーツ

Title: Handsome Suit
Official website: here
Official DVD released: 13 Mar 09
Script: Suzuki Osamu
Original novel by: Suzuki Osamu
Theme Song: My Revolution by Watanabe Misato






Cast:

Hikariyama Annin (Tanihara Shosuke)
Ooki Takurou (Tsukaji Takeo)
Hoshino Hiroko (Kitagawa Keiko)
Raika (Sada Mayumi)
Hashino Motoe (Ooshima Miyuki)
Hazama Shinsuke (Ikeuchi Hiroyuki)
Taniyama Hisae (Honjou Manami)
Reimi (Sasaki Nozomi)
Kamiyama Shuuzou (Ibu Masato)
Oosawa Yuuki (Yamamoto Yuusuke)
Shiraki (Nakajo Kiyoshi)
Yonezawa Akira (Brother Tom)
Mysterious man (Nukumizu Yoichi)


Review:

I watched this about 2 weeks ago but did not have the time to post this review until now. Well, my viewing experience was marred by the inconsiderate behaviour of a bunch of rowdy teenagers so I was too mad that day to sit down and write the review. It really makes me wonder why our education system, reputed to be one of the best in the world, churns out such senseless morons who get on other people's nerves. Imagine playing musical chairs in the midst of the movie and obstructing other people's views! Shouting and deliberately laughing at points which are not funny at all! And it just goes to show that sometimes beauty is only skin-deep. So what if you are pretty or good-looking but behave like an idiot! What an uncanny coincidence with the theme of this movie!

OK, back to the movie. Well, the theme of the movie has been repeated countless times i.e. the endless debate over beauty and the interior. The ingenious thing this time is that the leading man, Takuro gets to be a handsome man i.e. Annin and be himself as he wishes by wearing the handsome suit. Of course, he gets to enjoy the privileges that a handsome man gets, be it tangible or intangible. We have to admit that in society, being good-looking is indeed important at times especially in industries like modelling. Takuro is too absorbed in the luxuries showered on him while he is Annin and is soon faced with the choice of whether to be Takuro or Annin forever.

Honestly speaking, I wouldn't consider Tanihara Shosuke as handsome. I feel that he is more on the charming side for a mature guy rather than handsome. As such, it feels kinda weird to see the exaggerated reactions of the women around him as if he's some Prince Charming. However, I must say that he looks good while doing the catwalk. His tall build does make him look the part of a model (in fact, he was one in the past). On the other hand, Tsukaji is not handsome but I think he is made more ugly and repulsive because of the little actions like poking his finger into his nostrils. He didn't look that bad in Kiina though. Oh well, I guess that is just for comedic effect.

As for Kitagawa Keiko, I don't really like her. There's nothing very unique about her looks or her acting. She looks like many of the young models-turned-actresses these days so she definitely needs a strong distinguishing factor to make her stand out from the rest. Maybe it's also her role which is too small for her to do something about her acting. On the contrary, Ooshima Miyuki who only appeared in the middle of the show is very eye-catching. I guess Kitagawa needs more practice to make sure she can achieve that kind of standard. For those who have watched Domoto Kyoudai, you will be pleasantly surprised to see Brother Tom in this movie as Yone-san. Oh, and that scene when Raika meets Annin for the first time, it's too overdone. I don't think models will walk like that in real life except on stage. That criss-crossing of legs is too unnatural. ^__^

This movie is peppered with lots of humour typical of a Suzuki Osamu script. His wife, Ooshima Miyuki also gets to play Motoe, who's a supporter of Takuro. I wouldn't say that this is a very good movie but it's still enjoyable. There is a twist at the end which I guessed correctly when Motoe appeared so you've got to see it for yourself as to what it is. Another highlight is the fashion show scene which they did at the Tokyo Girls Collection. In case you are wondering if they created a phony fashion show for the sake of this scene, they actually saved money by using the real Tokyo Girls Collection venue. It sure doesn't sound reasonable to spend all that money for such a short scene. The song, My Revolution is very catchy and fits the mood of the movie but that scene of Watanabe Misato appearing at the credits would probably mean nothing to people outside of Japan who don't know about her. And don't be in a hurry to leave because there is a scene at the middle of the credits roll.

And my ratings for this movie...
Story: 7 out of 10 (Enjoyable but it definitely doesn't qualify as memorable)
Acting: 7 out of 10 (Tanihara shows off a rarely seen exaggerated style of acting while Ooshima is hard to miss)
Theme song: 7 out of 10 (Very catchy but may not resonate with a younger crowd. Obviously, this is not a very new song. Btw, this was written by Komuro Tetsuya.)
Visual effects / Scenery: 7 out of 10 (The glitzy world of modelling is dazzling.)
Teamwork / Chemistry: 5 out of 10 (Seriously lacking between Tsukaji and Kitagawa but the combinations of Tanihara vs. Sada Mayumi and Tsukaji vs. Ooshima were good)

Total: 33 out of 50