Utatama (2008)

Utatama: Directed by Makoto Tanaka. With Kaho, Gori, Hiroko Yakushimaru, Masaaki Akahori. Nanahama High school girl Kasumi is in her school’s choir. She loses her confidence and esteem when she is told by a would-be photographer how she resembles a salmon when she is singing. Then she meets high school student and hoodlum leader Hiroshi whose confidence restoring measures are unorthodox, but effective.

“A decent movie, I felt they tried a bit too hard to make it funny and a little bit cheesy at times, but overall, an entertaining film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI was very disappointed with Kaho after her inspiring performance in u0026quot;Tennen Kokekkou0026quot;. Her character really annoyed me, even after the supposed transformation of her character.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIwata Sayuri, on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise for me. She played Rena, the villainous girl in the movie, but her stage presence was incredible and totally fit the role. I hope to see her again in more major roles.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe movie was somewhat inspirational, but some characters were too ridiculous for me to take it seriously.”