国宝 aka Kokuhō by Lee Sang-il

✅ Okudera’s script, based on Yoshida’s novel that clocks in at around 800 pages, is terrific.

✅ The transition between Kurokawa & Koshiyama and Yoshizawa & Yokohama playing Kikuo & Shunsuke is magically seamless.

✅ It’s strong enough that I’d love to experience the original cut that ran for 4.5 hours.

To underscore dramatic points, the Kabuki music sometimes fades over into the soundtrack; while it broke my immersion each time it’s well-balanced overall.

#movies