Dance, Subaru! 昴 スバル

Genre:Drama

Language: Japanese
Director: Lee Chi Ngai

Cast: Meisa Kuroki (Crows: Episode 0), Sano Miku , Ara, Yuta Hiraoka (My Sister, My Love)

Runtime: 114 minutes

Official Website: www.subaru-movie.com

Plot:

Subaru and her twin brother Kazuma share a dream in becoming ballet dancers, but their passion is discouraged by their father. After Kazuma's death from a hereditary illness, dancing became Subaru's only happiness and she yearns to lose herself in dance. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she runs into cabaret owner Isuzu, who recognizes the talent in Subaru and trains her in her nightspot. But to become a professional ballerina, Subaru has to overcome harsher challenges than merely satisfying the cabaret drunkards. Spurred on by her rivaling dance companions, Subaru enters an international dance competition, to vie for recognition and a scholarship to any top ballet company in the world. Subaru and her companions soon discover that there are more to compete than the championship, and tests of friendship, betrayal and self-worth come one after another. Gradually the youngsters learn about themselves as dancers, as persons and as friends.

Watched the movie on 28 May evening @ Cathay Cineleisure with Sylvia and Barbara.

Honestly, the only drawing power for me to watch this movie is because of TVXQ. However, they were really just cameo for like 30 seconds.... Wished they could performed at least ½ the song. Of course, I also noticed that the turn-out of the audiences mostly got excited when TVXQ's appeared. I wondered if there were no TVXQ cameo, will these audiences even know about the movie?

Although the movie is about a young girl, sharing a dream with her twin brother who passed away without fulfilling the dream with her which was portrayed by Meisa Kuroki, I felt the other role - Liz Park, portrayed by Ara seem more natural and scene stealing. Then there's the cat fights and rivalry, sometimes amongst friends even, whether you are aware of the pettiness and envy openly, or become victims of the scheming ones.

This movie consists of Japaneses, Koreans and Chinese actors, the production team consists of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore crews. It is definitely a good Pan-Asia effort production afterall. Just felt a bit draggy from the middle onwards...

ah-deng says: 2½ / 5 The passing score given for the fact that TVXQ is in it. Else...