All 10 Movies Primarily based on Haruki Murakami Tales, Ranked Worst to Finest

Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is a celebrated author of essays, brief tales, and novels which have enchanted readers around the globe, and Murakami's work has impressed not solely avid bookworms but additionally filmmakers. Because the Eighties, each brief and have movies have been constituted 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.

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

10

All God's Youngsters Can Dance (2008)

Directed by Robert Logevall

Primarily based on Murakami's brief story the function movie All God's youngsters can dance revolves round Kengo, a teen who lives in Korea City, Los Angeles, together with his mom.Evelyn. Kengo's girlfriend Sandra is pissed off with each his lack of course in life and his inappropriate obsession together with his mom. For some cause, 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 youngsters You may 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 youngsters can dance it's about yet 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 which means and spirituality.

9

Take heed to the Track of the Wind (1981)

Directed by Kazuki Ômori

Often known as Hear the wind sing, This function movie based mostly on Murakami's first revealed 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 buddy 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 seems lots like somebody he as soon as knew.

Though it adapts the novel fairly carefully, Take heed to the tune of the wind It's just a little laborious to observe. The movie's largest drawback will not be its execution itself, however somewhat the shortage of an modern plot. Studying a novel that focuses on the characters somewhat than the story could be a profound however shifting expertise, however watching a film that follows the identical components doesn't actually work.

8

Hanalei Bay (2018)

Directed by Daishi Matsunaga

This adaptation of Murakami's brief 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 establish 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 provides a top-notch efficiency as Sachi, the grieving mom trying to find which 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 inclined 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 brief movie adaptation of Murakami's brief story of the identical identify 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 buddy 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 a captivating adaptation of the unique story. Though it options an American couple dwelling in the USA somewhat than a Japanese couple, the brief movie does a superb 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 brief story initially titled “On Seeing the 100% Excellent 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 girl and turns into satisfied that she is 100% the correct lady for him.. The issue is he has no concept the best way 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 sequence of summary fantasies.

Yamakawa takes Murakami's sparse story and turns it into a sensible, thought-provoking artwork movie. By way of the usage of summary colours, stop-motion animation and images, 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 buddy, Kizukiwho took his personal life. In a Tokyo park, Toru meets a girl 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, due to Hung's masterful course and heartfelt performances from Matsuyama and Rinko Kikuchi as Naoko.. Admittedly, some followers of Murakami's authentic novel have been upset with the difference, because the movie omits many particulars from the e book. But, Norwegian Wooden deserves credit score for being a palatable movie that introduces newcomers to Murakami's work.

4

Blind Willow, Sleeping Lady (2022)

Directed by Pierre Földes

Japanese animated movie Blind Willow, Sleeping Lady is an anthology of surreal tales surrounding the real-life catastrophe of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tōhoku, Japan. One story is a couple of man making an attempt to return to phrases with the truth that his spouse has left him. One other tells the story of a girl who makes a want on her twentieth birthday. Maybe some of the weird is a couple of banker who encounters a man-sized speaking frog, who warns him of impending catastrophe.

Director Pierre Földes — composer, artist and filmmaker — used his many abilities to create an unforgettable expertise with the movie Blind Willow, Sleeping Lady. His distinctive imaginative and prescient masterfully blends Murakami's fables, combining human tales with fantastical components. The movie acquired 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 considered one of Murakami's most well-known brief tales, and this adaptation actually does it justice. A person who works as a technical illustrator meets and falls in love with a shopper, a girl 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 automotive 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 incredible illustration of considered one 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 Automotive (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 automotive emotional journey definitely worth the journey. With a 97% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, critics solely praised the movie. The Guardian hailed it as an “participating and exhilarating expertise”, whereas Time described him as “tender as a storm”. Drive my automotive received the 2022 Academy Award for Finest Worldwide Function 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 buddy, Hae-mi, and the 2 start a sexual relationship.. Later, Hae-mi introduces Jong-su to her buddy 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 based mostly on Murakami's brief 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 provides a chilling efficiency as Ben, and director Chang-dong Lee weaves an internet of discomfort that slowly turns into a way of dread and foreboding. Universally acclaimed by critics, Burning accomplishes what few variations have ever performed – bettering on its supply materials whereas remaining trustworthy to its themes and perceptions.