The Piano Forest

Title:The Piano Forest
Piano no Mori (Japanese)
The Perfect World of Kai
ピアノの森 (Japanese)
琴之森 (Chinese (Taiwan))
피아노의 숲 (Korean)
Overall:Rent
Keywords: , , , , ,
Notables: Animation - Madhouse
KAMIKI Ryunosuke
Amamiya Shu transfers to Moriwaki elementary filled with hope and ambition. But it doesn't take long before he gets picked on by the class bullies, and gets involved in a dare to play the mysterious piano in the forest. Igniting his meeting with an equally enigmatic child that goes by the name of Ichinose Kai, who seems to be the only one capable getting sound out of the thought to be broken piano.
(Summary Courtesy of Anime News Network)


101 minute film released in theaters on July 21, 2007.
Animated by Madhouse
Based on the ongoing manga series by Makoto Isshiki.
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Rent 9 9 8 9 7 Ggultra2764 [series:2540#1552]
Piano Forest was a decent film focused on the bond developed between Shuhei and Kai thanks to their interest in playing piano for very different reasons: Shuhei for career decision and Kai for the fun of it. Basically, the film features the two characters developing through their bond with one another as Shuhei learns to enjoy music and Kai adjusts to gaining formal teaching in his piano playing through piano teacher Ajino since he gained his skills through casual enjoyment. Piano Forest does do a reasonable job at fleshing out their characters and believably having you care for the bond between the two boys. The visuals to the movie sport a great amount of detail with vivid colors and vast shots of scenery (particularly in city and forest shots) with a good amount of fluid animation shown with character movements and the playing of piano performances from the characters. With Piano Forest's story centered around piano playing, renditions of musical pieces from classical pianists are used in the movie during scenes of characters playing the piano.

The movie does have its major flaws. The main theme of the movie, which I mentioned above, isn't properly elaborated on until the final part of the movie which does leave one wondering what this movie was trying to tell us until that point. While the movie does offer background on Agino's character, he is never properly developed as you never get to see what influence teaching Kai had on re-invigorating his interest in music. The movie also doesn't seem to have a consistent tone as there are inopportune moments of comedy thrown in at points within the movie, particularly with Kai in the later half of the film.

Still, Piano Forest does offer up a decent, inspirational story with its focus on two boys learning from one another on how to approach their piano playing and is worth a look if you want to see something different from more conventional titles.

Last updated Wednesday, March 14 2012. Created Wednesday, March 14 2012.

Other Sites
NameURL
Official Movie Web Site (Japanese) http://www.piano-movie.jp/

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