The story revolves around the 'red thread of fate' connecting the young pair, Mei (Nao Minamisawa) and Atsushi (Junpei Mizobata) and the trials they face during their high school period. Their romance blossoms when she meets a gentle-natured boy named Atsushi during a school trip to Nagasaki with close camaraderie of her school friends. The two begin to realise that they share many things in common that seem to transcend mere coincidence. Feeling a bond of fate, they grow closer. However, destiny can have a dark side to it too.
by kryztilia
on 26/07/2009 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What I loved most: Sudden twist in the story
What I really hated: Poor acting by Nao Minamisawa, some scenes were too dramatic
***CONTAINS SPOILER*** Initially, I was lost in the complexity of the storyline but as the story developed, I started to grasp the understanding of what's going on. As I try to draw my conclusions on how Mei was related to Atsushi's mother, I was shocked when the truth unveiled. I found Nao's acting to be very unconvincing and lack of emotion. Like when she saw Sara Nakagawa jump off the building or when she saw the possessions of Riku Takahashi (knowing he was dead). I didn't watch the drama but I hope it wasn't as bad as this. The scene which struck me most memorable was that Taka escaped death by a mere distance yet unfortunately turning to escape, he got hit by the next car. It made me realise how luck can run out in the next second. The ending wasn't pleasant as it was sort of inconclusive imo. Overall, I think it's still worth watching - some really touching scenes (:
Beware of the saccharine sweetness of a teenage love. Originating from Chinese legend, "the red string of fate" myth that states the gods tie an invisible string around the ankles of men and women who are destined to be soul mates and will one day marry each other, "Threads of Destiny" is one romantic flick about fate that entwines lives.
"Threads of Destiny" have been one of the most distributed online serialised novel in Japan, and one of the most sensational reading material on a Nihon cellphone. That is reason alone for it to be turned into both feature film and TV series. Like the hype that is Habiburrahman El-Shirazy's "Ayat-Ayat Cinta" in Indonesia, "Threads of Destiny" (or "Akai Ito" in the land of the rising sun) is a big hit in its country and thus bringing it to our shore seems to look like a good idea.
It is, for the young minds yet to be corrupted with heart aches and maybe, lengthy internet bills from all that chatting with supposedly 'the one'. But for the cynical at heart who sees nothing in the magic of love, destiny and romantic coincidences, "Threads of Destiny" would only remain a bundle of threads that only tries to - as the Malay idiom would say; "Menegakkan benang yang basah".
There is something inexplicable about the performances of its young casts. Cutesy Minamisawa Nao may have the look that will be adored by many but yet as the lead character Mei, her ambiguous expressions and incoherence seem to decapitate audience's sympathy for the character. Mizobata Junpei as Atsushi succeeded in showing the maturity of his character but still could not attract much attention. The dialogues were too linear and sometimes obviously preachy, especially when talking about the subject of drug addiction.
The saving grace of this film is its cinematography and its storyline. Plot-wise, it's an effort that can be awarded with praises. For a teenage love story, it is filled with post-pubescent ideals about love, friendship, and even discussion about social issues that floods the Japanese youth of today. For those who believe in soul mates and that 'love will find a way', this will suit you to a T. And for the rest of amoral beings of the world, your destiny forbids you from it.
