All 10 Movies Based mostly on Haruki Murakami Tales, Ranked Worst to Finest

Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is a celebrated author of essays, quick tales, and novels which have enchanted readers world wide, and Murakami's work has impressed not solely avid bookworms but additionally filmmakers. For the reason that Eighties, each quick and have movies have been comprised of his books. Titles like Norwegian Wooden, The Elephant Disappears, and the three novels that make up the Mouse Trilogy had such an enormous affect on Japanese literature that it appears sure that these humanist tales would come to life on display screen.

With 10 variations up to now, Murakami's greatest movies have managed to captivate even essentially the most ardent followers of the acclaimed writer. After all, as a result of they’re notoriously tough to make, some movie variations are higher than others. Murakami's work particularly might be difficult, together with his use of summary themes and infrequently poetic prose. Whereas some administrators have the experience to adapt most of these texts, others are likely to fall quick.

10

All God's Youngsters Can Dance (2008)

Directed by Robert Logevall

Based mostly on Murakami's quick story the function movie All God's kids can dance revolves round Kengo, a teen who lives in Korea City, Los Angeles, together with his mom.Evelyn. Kengo's girlfriend Sandra is annoyed with each his lack of path in life and his inappropriate obsession together with his mom. For some motive, Evelyn believes that Kengo is actually the son of God, which leaves the younger man tied up with an obsessive want to know his origins.

Directed by Robert Logevall, All God's kids You’ll be able to dance It was Murakami's first work to be filmed in English. Though the unique story is distinctly Japanese in tradition and setting, this movie is unapologetically American – which, maybe, is its downfall. With out the somber tone of the 1995 Kobe earthquake current within the story, All God's kids can dance it's about one more twenty-something American who feels disillusioned together with his lot in life. Critics have additionally argued that the movie focuses extra on intercourse than on the deeper message of Murakami's story – the seek for that means and spirituality.

9

Hearken to the Music of the Wind (1981)

Directed by Kazuki Ômori

Often known as Hear the wind sing, This function movie primarily based on Murakami's first printed novel was directed by Kazuki Ômori. The story options an nameless narrator (credited as Me) who spends his trip consuming in a Kobe bar together with his pal Rat, an aspiring filmmaker.whereas waxing nostalgic about his previous and misplaced loves. Later, the narrator meets and connects with a mysterious lady with a darkish previous who appears to be like lots like somebody he as soon as knew.

Though it adapts the novel fairly intently, Hearken to the track of the wind It's just a little arduous to observe. The movie's largest drawback will not be its execution itself, however slightly the dearth of an revolutionary plot. Studying a novel that focuses on the characters slightly than the story generally is a profound however shifting expertise, however watching a film that follows the identical system doesn't actually work.

8

Hanalei Bay (2018)

Directed by Daishi Matsunaga

This adaptation of Murakami's quick story tells the story of a single mom who involves phrases with the sudden demise of her son. When Sachi discovers that her son, Takashi, was killed in a shark assault whereas browsing, she travels to Hanalei Bay on Kaua'i to determine his physique. After stating that the physique discovered is Takashi's, Sachi falls into deep mourning. Sachi returns to Hanalei Bay yearly on the anniversary of his son's demise, the place he befriends two younger males who additionally surf.

Written and directed by Daishi Matsunaga, Hanalei Bay is a tearjerker that encapsulates the emotional weight and depth of its supply materials. Yoh Yoshida offers a top-notch efficiency as Sachi, the grieving mom trying to find that means after a lifetime of tragedythough the movie has pacing points. It tries to make amends with interwoven flashbacks to Sachi's previous, however these scenes are likely to really feel misplaced and considerably pressured.

7

The second assault on the bakery (2010)

Directed by Carlos Cuarón

Starring Kirsten Dunst and Brian Geraghty, this quick movie adaptation of Murakami's quick story of the identical title is an absurdist comedy with a really distinctive premise. When newlyweds Nat and Dan get up hungry with nothing in the home to eat, Dan recounts a time he and his pal robbed a bakery.. Believing that Dan's earlier actions have introduced a curse on their marriage, Nat insists that they rob one other bakery to interrupt the curse.

Directed by acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Carlos Cuarón, The second assault on the bakery is an enthralling adaptation of the unique story. Though it options an American couple residing in the USA slightly than a Japanese couple, the quick movie does a wonderful job of retelling a hilarious and quirky story, highlighted by wonderful performances from Dunst and Geraghty.

6

A lady, she is 100% (1983)

Directed by Naoto Yamakawa

Tailored from the quick story initially titled “On Seeing the 100% Good Lady on a Stunning April Morning,” this 10-minute movie directed by Naoto Yamakawa is a brief and candy “what if” story. Whereas strolling down a busy metropolis road, a person notices a lady and turns into satisfied that she is 100% the best woman for him.. The issue is he has no thought tips on how to speak to her or if he’ll ever see her once more. So as a substitute, he imagines what may need occurred in a collection of summary fantasies.

Yamakawa takes Murakami's sparse story and turns it into a wise, thought-provoking artwork movie. By way of the usage of summary colours, stop-motion animation and photographs, A lady, she is 100% It encapsulates the bittersweet themes of the supply materials whereas additionally being a visible feast for the eyes.

5

Norwegian Wooden (2010)

Directed by Tran Anh Hung

Directed by Tran Anh Hung, Norwegian Wooden stars Kenichi Matsuyama as Toru, a younger man who grieves for his greatest pal, Kizukiwho took his personal life. In a Tokyo park, Toru meets a lady named Naoko, and shortly discovers that she was Kizuki's girlfriend. The 2 bond over mutual ache and develop emotions for one another, however Naoko's psychological well being quickly deteriorates and causes a rift between the 2 lovers.

A narrative of affection and loss, Norwegian Wooden attracts viewers in with its quiet melancholy, because of Hung's masterful path and heartfelt performances from Matsuyama and Rinko Kikuchi as Naoko.. Admittedly, some followers of Murakami's unique novel have been upset with the difference, because the movie omits many particulars from the guide. But, Norwegian Wooden deserves credit score for being a palatable movie that introduces newcomers to Murakami's work.

4

Blind Willow, Sleeping Girl (2022)

Directed by Pierre Földes

Japanese animated movie Blind Willow, Sleeping Girl is an anthology of surreal tales surrounding the real-life catastrophe of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tōhoku, Japan. One story is a few man attempting to come back to phrases with the truth that his spouse has left him. One other tells the story of a lady who makes a want on her twentieth birthday. Maybe one of the vital weird is a few banker who encounters a man-sized speaking frog, who warns him of impending catastrophe.

Director Pierre Földes — composer, artist and filmmaker — used his many skills to create an unforgettable expertise with the movie Blind Willow, Sleeping Girl. His distinctive imaginative and prescient masterfully blends Murakami's fables, combining human tales with fantastical parts. The movie obtained jury distinction on the 2022 Annecy Worldwide Animated Movie Competition and was nominated for Finest Animated Movie on the 2024 Lumières Awards.

3

Tony Takitani (2004)

Directed by Jun Ichikawa

Tony Takitani is one in every of Murakami's most well-known quick tales, and this adaptation definitely does it justice. A person who works as a technical illustrator meets and falls in love with a consumer, a lady named Eiko.. After they get married, Tony turns into involved about Eiko's extravagant spending on garments. Eiko agrees to return some garments, however dies in a automobile accident whereas doing so. Devastated by her demise, Tony hires an assistant named Hisako on the situation that she put on his spouse's garments to work.

Starring Issey Ogata because the titular protagonist Tony Takitani is a implausible illustration of one in every of Murakami's greatest works. With a haunting soundtrack by Ryuchi Sakamoto, the movie takes the viewers into Tony's loneliness and despair via a sympathetic lens. this leaves a lingering impact.

2

Drive My Automobile (2021)

Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi

Tokyo-based actor and theater director Yūsuke Kafuku is devastated when his spouse, Oto, dies of a mind hemorrhage. Years later, Yūsuke is invited to direct the manufacturing of the play Uncle Vânia in Hiroshima. For insurance coverage causes, the producers insist that Yūsuke have a private driver, a younger lady named Misaki Watari. As the 2 spend time collectively, they bond over their particular person losses and empathize with one another's ache.

Whereas the three-hour runtime could also be just a little daunting for some viewers, Drive my automobile emotional journey well worth the journey. With a 97% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, critics solely praised the movie. The Guardian hailed it as an “partaking and exhilarating expertise”, whereas Time described him as “tender as a storm”. Drive my automobile received the 2022 Academy Award for Finest Worldwide Characteristic Movie and was nominated for Finest Tailored Screenplay, Finest Movie and Finest Director.

1

Burning (2018)

Directed by Chang-dong Lee

A South Korean movie by Lee Chang-dong, Burning starring Yoo Ah-in and Undeadof Steven Yuen in an intense psychological thriller. A younger man aspiring to turn into a author, Jong-su meets his childhood pal, Hae-mi, and the 2 start a sexual relationship.. Later, Hae-mi introduces Jong-su to her pal Ben, an enigmatic younger man with a darkish secret. When Hae-mi mysteriously disappears, Jong-su goes on a determined seek for solutions that leads him down a darkish and harmful highway.

Loosely primarily based on Murakami's quick story “Barn Burning”, Burning is a tension-filled movie that fleshes out a simplistic story with suspense and trepidation. Going in opposition to kind, Yuen offers a chilling efficiency as Ben, and director Chang-dong Lee weaves an online of discomfort that slowly turns into a way of dread and foreboding. Universally acclaimed by critics, Burning accomplishes what few variations have ever executed – bettering on its supply materials whereas remaining devoted to its themes and perceptions.