Review of Leonie

Leonie (2010)
A strong mother and a future Artist son in a tough world.
3 April 2011
It seems like I'm the only one that's giving this film a high rating. I personally loved it. It even made me cry a bit.

but I have to say, this is not a movie for everybody. It's based on the book about the famous Japanese & American artist Isamu Nuguchi's life story. the title is "The Life of Isamu Noguchi: Journey without Borders" by Masayo Duus

its a true story (most of it) and if you know about Isamu Noguchi, I think you will appreciate this film. I mean, if you know about him, you will understand the film more.

Isamu was born in early 1900's in California. Mother Leonie Gilmore an editor. and father a Japanese poet Yone Noguchi. Yone left Leonie before Isamu was born. but after a couple years, Yone invites Leonie and Isamu to live in Japan with him. She goes, but finds out Yone has other wives(!) and leaves him and try to live by her own with young Isamu. but... as you can figure, early 1900's Japan is NOT a nice place to live if your a foreigner with a MIXED kid + NO husband. the movie is mostly about how she and Isamu struggles in their lives.

Director Hisako Matsui focused on Leonie Gilmore as a independent woman & strong mother. Time flies fast in this movie. as it shows the life of Leonie from when she goes to university till she dies...in a couple of hours.

nobody can't complain about Emily Mortimer (as Leonie) and Shido Nakamura(as Yone Noguchi).I was surprised when I heard that they casted such good actors. basically, the two actors held the movie together in one piece.

the music score by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek( also wrote scores for "Finding Neverland", and "Hachi".) was amazing and matched the scenery perfectly.
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