This review may contain spoilers
As an Italian, I'm rather used to being (let's not mince our words) often despised in most Western countries; I'm sorry to have to say this, but I've lost count of the people who, upon hearing I was Italian, felt the need to cry out stuff like "Mafia! Bunga-Bunga!" and so on, all while laughing out loud as if it were such a funny joke - seriously, guys...it ain't. Like, Not. In. The. Least. /.___.\(Oh, and since I sincerely doubt that they'd shout "Apartheid! Bantustans!" to a South-African, or "Hiroshima! Guantanamo!" to an American, that double standard ends up being doubly offensive and simply adding insult to injury).
It therefore feels even more so like total Heaven, to notice how appreciated we are in other places, and particularly in South America, Russia and Japan.
But while the South Americans' (general) appreciation of Italy and Italians is quite logical, given how the Italian immigration down there mostly thrived and ended up becoming, as they say, a pillar of the community, it's on the other hand definitely harder to understand why Russians and Japanese should love us, considering how we invaded the former (without any sound motive, as they hadn't done anything to us! >__<) and backstabbed the latter by switching sides midway through WWII...as correctly depicted in the very first minute of this SP.
And yet, even though Japanese (and Russians) should have every reason to, if not outright hate us, at least resent us, they always shower us with an unconditional love, something which never fails to amaze me - and at the same time, to give my heart such a warm feeling and move me to tears.
Just like when, towards the end of this SP, a kid suddenly says "When I grow up, I want to become an Italian".
Believe me or not, I started crying as if there was no tomorrow, and just couldn't stop it.
And that's why I'm giving this "Sensuikan Cappellini go no Boken" such a high grade, despite the fact that it's honestly far from perfect: the production, let's face it, feels pretty cheap; in all honesty, the script is ok but nothing to call home about; last but not least, the Italian cast (a bunch of total unknowns, I'll admit) aren't gonna win a best actor award any time soon, I'm afraid.
But still, the premise (based on real events) is tremendously interesting, the Japanese cast performed very well (particularly Ninomiya Kazunari, whom I must confess never having been a big fan of...but he was absolutely superb here!)...and the whole thing feels like such a huge declaration of love for Italy and Italians (despite all our faults, because yeah, love is blind, indeed)!
How could I not reward all that with a high grade? ^__^;
Arigatou, Nihon!
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An interesting story of 3 Italian men stranded in Japan during World War 2
I'm Kasumi Arimura's biggest fan so maybe my review is biased but then again, this is a really fun watch.I like how unlike a lot of Japanese films on world war 2, this one doesn't really touch on which side is right or wrong nor does it promote Japan nationalism during the war.
Rather, it is more of a comedic take on 3 Italian sailors who happen to be stranded in Japan and treat as a semi Prisoner of War due to Italy's suddenly change of stance during WW2.
You have to give props to the acting by the 3 Italian guys. They are funny and yet, emotional at the same time. You just find yourself rooting for them somehow or other.
Kasumi is great as usual but Ninomiya actually surprised me here. I've watched a couple of his shows and I know he is quite an acclaimed actor but still, he's really good here as the Japanese commander who is tasked with supervising the 3 Italians.
It's a fun movie which is suitable for everyone and it's worth the watch.
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