Hula Girls R2 DVDs and review

To tie in the R2 Japan DVD release of Lee Sang-il's Hula Girls James Maruyama offered us his review of the film. We appreciate his efforts. See the end of the review for buying info.

For over 40 years, Hawaii has been a popular tourist destination for the Japanese. Over 1.3 million visitors from Japan visit the Hawaiian Islands on any given year. The Japanese love for the Hawaiian culture is also very apparent as evidenced in their love for Hawaiian music (slack key guitar in particular) and dance (the Hula). It is said that there are over 250,600 students currently learning the Hula in various Hula "Halaus" (schools) throughout Japan. Japan born, Korean film maker Lee Sang-il's wonderfully enchanting film "Hula Girls" touches upon that fascination and pays tribute to the expressive and beautiful art form of the Hawaiian Hula.

The film is inspired in part by the real life Jouban Hawaiian Center (at present called 'Spa Resort Hawaiians') in Iwaki City, Fukushima which was developed in 1961 in an attempt to stimulate the local prefecture's economy. Similar to Peter Cattaneo's "Full Monty" as well as recent Japanese films "Linda Linda Linda", "Swing Girls" and "Backdancers", "Hula Girls" centers on a group of misfits who conquer their insecurities and problems through the learning of a particular skill or talent (here Hula Dancing). While Aoi Yui ("Gaichu", "Memories of Matsuko") is given the lion's share of the movie's best moments (her dance solo in the end is marvelous), it is TV star Matsuyuki Yasuko who is the most interesting character as Hirayama Madoka, a disgraced Tokyo dance instructor hoping for a second chance at redemption. The supporting cast is also quite wonderful with Toyokawa Etsushi, Yamazaki Chizuya and Kishibe Ittoku bringing great comic moments.

While there is a lot of vibrant dancing in the film, particularly in the crowd pleasing final dance sequence, I kind of hoped for a bit more elaborate and longer choreographed sequences, highlighting some of the more expressive aspects of the Hula. The comedy aspects are plentiful and fun but there are scenes where you definitely will be shedding a few heartfelt tears.

At 2 hours, the movie may seem long but actually I sort of wished it had continued further as I wanted to see more of the girls and where their journey took them. Local slack key entertainer Jake Shimabukuro's music is prominently used throughout the background and deservedly so, as it adds to the film's enjoyment.

"Hula Girls" is a great, "feel good" movie that celebrates Hula and shows that the "Aloha Spirit" (which in addition to meaning hello, goodbye or love, can also refer to resolving any problem, accomplishing any goal) can transcend cultural differences and prosper in as diverse a setting as Fukushima, Japan.

DVD Details:
Product Title: Hula Girl Standard Edition (Japan Version - English Subtitles)
Region Code: DVD Region Code 2
Picture Format: NTSC
Artist Name(s): Toyokawa Etsushi | Matsuyuki Yasuko | Yamasaki Shizuyo
Release Date: March 16, 2007
Language: Japanese
Subtitle: Japanese, English

Hula Girls Standard Edition: order here

Hula Girl Memorial Box comes with two bonus discs and over 400 minutes of extras including:
- Audio Commentary
- Making Of
- Spin-off "Sayuri's Love Story"
- Hula Girl Dance Performance (Full Version)
- Music Video
- Teaser, Trailer, and TV Spot
- Promotional Footage

Hula Girls Memorial Box: order here