Tenkôsei: Sayonara Anata
2007 / 120m - Japan
Drama
3.5*/5.0*
Switching - Goodbye Me poster

Watches

April 25, 2015

3.5*/5.0*

A film with a somewhat similar setup to Shinkai's Your Name, but with a director like Obayashi behind the wheel the film's going to inevitably end up a little different. It's one of Obayashi's more kid-friendly productions, but that doesn't mean it's a simple narrative-driven film, the cinematography is what makes this film stand out.

When Kazuo arrives at his new school he is quick to make new friends. One of the people he connects with is Kazumi, but he isn't quite ready for what is going to happen. Out of nowhere the two switch bodies. They are forced to adapt to their new lives, even though their personal feelings for each other greatly complicate things.

The performances aren't the best and although there are some interesting twists, the plot's also a bit too cheesy. It's a good thing then that Obayashi goes crazy with his camera and the editing. It's no Hausu of course, but for a film like this, it is a remarkable choice. And one that pays off too. I had plenty of fun with this one, despite the quality being a little uneven.