Fortune Favors Woman Nikuko is a extremely distinctive movie as it’s one which I consider can solely be informed by way of the anime movie medium. Whereas the narrative being informed isn’t a grandiose one, it’s one which’s intimately centered on its characters and, because of this, offers a heartwarming viewing expertise.
Nikuko & Kikuko
The movie begins with a narrative about its titular character Nikuko, a girl who sadly has not had a clean life as she’s been cheated by virtually each man she’s met and needed to transfer from one place to a different together with her daughter Kikuko. Kikuko is definitely named after her mom, who’s nicknamed Nikuo (“The Meat Woman”) as a result of her boisterous nature, huge dimension, and her love for meat (therefore the “Niku” which means meat in her title). Her virtually too carefree nature usually embarrasses her younger daughter, who’s simply attempting to reside a traditional life in grade college.
The movie intricately tells the story of the mother-daughter duo by displaying the essential moments of their lives, be it Nikuo’s checkered previous or the brand new experiences younger Kikuko lives by way of each day. No second within the movie feels ineffective or included for the sake of it, as every occasion we see them reside by way of builds their character extra and kinds a singular bond with the viewers.
Youth & Expertise
Within the first half of the movie had been proven Kikuko’s day by day life as a traditional grade-schooler. She offers with on a regular basis issues and experiences like coping with battle amongst classmates, combating and making up with pals, and even discovering a brand new crush. These little moments achieve highlighting the straightforward, harmless, but usually turbulent moments of youth. In a while, nonetheless, we’re then proven a contrasting story about Nikuo’s previous and the character surrounding Kikuko’s start which, in comparison with the sooner a part of the movie, tells a extra gritty, grownup, and uncooked story. It additionally shows an unlucky facet of maturity that some folks, particularly ladies, sadly must reside by way of.
These tales are blended so nicely into the story regardless of its 90 minute screening time that you would be able to’t assist however really feel drawn to the characters regardless of their easy nature, as the truth that they’re easy, extremely likable characters residing easy lives makes them that rather more endearing. The movie doesn’t function any central narrative or fascinatingly deep plot, which admittedly could deter some filmgoers. Nonetheless, when you’re like me, you’ll discover the movie extremely pleasant because it offers an intimate and entertaining story that simply enables you to flip your mind off for ninety minutes.
The Signature Manufacturing Fashion
One other aspect of the movie that’s arguably its most tasty facet, if not its greatest facet, is the animation. Studio 4°C did a superb job presenting the attractive picturesque scenes of a windy ocean-locked island, with extremely detailed backgrounds and character designs harking back to Ghibli movies (together with Ghibli references) due to character designer and supervising animation director Kenichi Konishi, who labored for the studio on The Story of Princess Kaguya, but the movie nonetheless has its their very own distinctive aesthetic. A core facet or aspect within the studio’s movies is their near-obsession with water, which comes throughout fairly nicely on this movie. The animation of this aspect, whereas not outstanding all through, at all times evokes a sense of serenity when displayed. The movie’s soundtrack additionally considerably provides to this sense as, once more, whereas used sparsely, efficiently provides to the expertise.
The one facet of the movie that hinders the expertise is that some elements of the plot, which you’d count on to be wrapped up neatly on the finish, are left as much as the viewer’s interpretation, most certainly as a result of time constraints on the movie. Whereas these ignored plot factors aren’t jarring sufficient to negatively have an effect on the viewing expertise, it’s value declaring regardless.
Remaining Ideas
Total, Fortune Favors Woman Nikuko, whereas not providing something distinctive by way of storytelling, continues to be a well-crafted, well-produced movie that evokes a myriad of emotions in its viewers that may comprise of nearly anybody of any age.
Fortune Favors Woman Nikuko begins screening in theatres June 3. A screener of this movie was supplied by GKIDS for this assessment.
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The Assessment
Fortune Favors Woman Nikuko
PROS
- Nice, modest story
- Endearing characters
- Unimaginable animation
CONS
- Some unfinished plot factors
