The Kodai Family (2016)

Let me start by saying I haven't read the manga, but could've read volumes in the roughly two hours I wasted on watching this endearing but nearly eventless movie.

The vivid imagination of the main female character was the only great part about this live-action adaptation. Sadly, her quirkiness and ability to exaggerate any situation faded off too early on, rendering the rest of the movie increasingly dull and hard to watch. The pacing was bad and the romance felt flaccid and unconvincing. Everything regarding the relationship of the main couple was rushed – absolutely no build up whatsoever – and I can't seem to understand why, since nothing else took place in the movie, leaving me thinking, "What did I watch, and why did I watch it?"

On the plus side, this movie had some of the most beautiful cinematography I've seen in a Japanese produced live-action adaptation. The strong cast and solid acting are praise-worthy as well. However, I could see this play out in a million other ways in my head. What started out brilliantly turned out upsettingly mediocre and bland. Now this is just my subjective opinion. I'm only a bit disappointed is all, since I'd been looking forward to watching this in what feels like an eternity – and naturally, had expectations.

My advice, watch it if you're a fan and absolutely must (or if you're looking for ways to kill time, literally) – otherwise don't even bother.

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If you came here expecting this to follow the along the same likes of the manga you will not be getting what you were hoping for. The story took the artistic approach "Whats the point of having the same story told twice?" and creates a different dynamic than what was originally written.
For me who watched this hoping for it to be exactly like the Manga, I hated it.
But if you're ok with it being the same premise but a different ending, then you might enjoy this.
The plot deviates from the manga towards the middle. And follows its own story.

The quirky characters from Kie's imagination are the only similarity that retains its joy.
The actress used does not resemble AT ALL what I expected Kie to look like. She's not short and her persona didnt play through with Kie's adorable airheadedness. In fact this character is more decisive and headstrong. Definately not Kie-like. An actress resembling Shen Yue would have fit Kie's role abit more.

But otherwise for me I wanted this story to resemble the manga and it did not in the least. At least the settings were attractive. Thats the only plus this story has in my book.

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Let's start with the positive aspects.
The cinematography and visual storytelling.
This movie has great daydream and mind reading instances where you get drawn into the world of the fml.
Where the fantasy goes crazy and where imagination takes over and sometimes crosses into the real world.

In the first half of the movie it was a true aesthetic feast and made me want to screenshot everything.
In the later half it did die down wich made the later part much more boring.

The idea of looking into someones daydreams is amazing and a truly unique concept.

Unfortunately this is one of many movies wich I would like to diagnose with: "live action syndrome".
Wich basically means: cut up story, rushed plot and inaccuracies wich are often times not avoidable.
For reference I read the first chapter of the manga wich this was based on. The manga officially ended in 2017 were as the movie already came out 2016. So I came to the logical conclusion that part of the second half of the movie was written out of thin air since the manga didn't finish at that time. (Wich also explained why it got boring)

The acting wasn't spectacular at all. The fml was a typical timid shy person.
I think the supports didn't get enough airing time, wich is unfortunate since one of the supporting actors I really enjoy watching.

My conclusion:
If for not the points above I think this is still worth the watch solely for the imaginary and visual rich instances.

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