Garasu no nô (1999)
5/10
An interesting look at Hideo's filmography
26 May 2005
Well, like probably everyone who is looking at this page, I saw this film as part of the Tartan Film, Ring Trilogy Box Set. From the write up on the case, it claims that Sleeping Bride is "thematically" related to The Ring. That can mean anything really, and because logo on the Disc was of a scary variety, I automatically, assumed this to be a horror film. It wasn't ... at all.

But that doesn't mean that it wasn't a good film, it was. For a while though I though it would it turn dark .. and in a few scenes, I REALLY though it would, but it never did. It is a light and somewhat sentimental film, based on the classic Sleeping Beauty story. It explores some interesting ideas, and brings fantasy into a modern setting.

The relationships and interactions between the characters, especially in school, are particularly pure in parts, and reminded me of some of the animation from Ghibli, though this is probably because the story was based on the work of another animation and comic legend, Osamu Tezuka.

This film suffers mostly from being misrepresented. It has been distributed with 3 horror films, and despite the quirkiness of the concepts, Sleeping Bride is a cute, emotional character study, that poses a few questions, and can make you ponder things a little. Not scary in the slightest .. unless you count dying of of embarrassment for the main character in some scenes! ;P

I am glad I saw this film, but I guess, since I consider it as "free", that lessens the pain a little more, than if I had a 5000 yen hole in my wallet, and only this movie to show for it. For an interesting look at Hideo Nakata's filmography, and for an interesting, and moving story, check out this film, but make sure you get 3 Ring films with it ;P
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