Nodame Cantabile The Movie 1

It was in September 2009 when I get to know about the upcoming of this movie [read here]. Waited for so long that it felt like I'm waiting for my love one to return home from a VERY long journey far away from home. After my peaceful evening with Chiaki-sempai *heart*, not even the hot weather can spoil my springy feeling. Yes, I was in the pink Mozart moment. English sub however would have turn all the roses blooming. Reading the manga and watching the anime eventually became handy since it connected my way to the Weirdo Forest.


And so.. here I go sharing my beloved Chiaki's story with spoilers. By the way, just so you know... this is not a full recap (I watched it RAW). I will be explaining things based on the manga and the anime. Plus... a loving note to Redge, my brain worked in the most "weirdest way" especially when it involved Shinichi Chiaki so just laugh off and forget about my "own lines" that I made throughout this review when/if you're watching this with subs ya! *hugs* to Rin-chan, do you want to join me in the Weirdo Forest? huhuhu~~~

Anyway, previously from Nodame Cantabile SP (Europe Chapter), Chiaki and Nodame weird relationship had grown deeper. The movie started with Stresseman scene, riding on a horse somewhere in Germany. Suddenly I can't help but wonder if they already spilled the bean here regarding Streseman's condition so I will keep this to myself for a while just so that it will not spoil your mood. An owl that looked like it just came out from Harry Potter's world dropped a newspaper for Streseman, with Chiaki's news at the front page.

Meanwhile back in Paris, Nodame kept admiring the gift that Chiaki bought for her while she was on the bus with Tanya and Frank (friends from the conservatoire). While they were having their conversation, Frank spotted the advertisement for Deschamps Orchestra with Jean Donnadieu's face on it (Chiaki's strongest opponent in the Platini Concour - a Conductor Competition). The advertisements were everywhere including on the flying blimp on the air :). While Frank and Tanya arguing each other on the possibility why Chiaki was not the one hired by Deschamps Orchestra (since he was the one who won 1st place in the Concour and previously was the guest conductor of Deschamps Orchestra (in Nodame Cantabile SP), Nodame sat there in silence (**probably thinking is Chiaki will be okay?).

Then there was Elise's laughing... laughing happily because Jean (she's a BIG fan) secured his place at Deschamps Orchestra instead of Chiaki. She however got Chiaki another deal... as the resident conductor with Roux Marlet Orchestra. Least to Chiaki's known that Roux Marlet is a once-so-famous-but-falling-lately orchestra house. But knowing that it was where Stressman first began his music career with sparked him with interest.

Elise with her outrageous way of work as so-called-Chiaki's manager but teasing him for losing his Deschamps Orchestra to Jean Donnadieu. (Note: Notice Jean's face on the blimp way behind at the background?)

Later in the day, Chiaki and Nodame had a simple meal (as Chiaki called it). After dinner, just when Chiaki was about to ask Nodame to come with him to watch Roux Marlet Orchestra performance the next day, Chiaki found Nodame was already asleep. Chiaki looked at the sleeping Nodame and said, "Lately it's always been like this, even though she said nothing. More so, she must be tired with all the things that she studied in the conservatoire. Me too... there's still much for me to learn "

A dinner of celebration? How long had we missed these two? xoxo

The next day, while Nodame at the conservatoire and was talking with Kuroki, there was a sudden commotion. As Nodame ran to see what was it all about, Tanya told Nodame that everyone was excited because the number one pianist, Son Rui had come to the conservatoire. Just to refresh you memory on who Son Rui was, she did a concerto with Chiaki before while Chiaki was still training under Streseman and the concerto actually once broke Nodame heart and spirit.

Meanwhile, Chiaki was dragged by Frank to play as an extra in Roux Marlet Orchestra (Chiaki was also good playing violin). Chiaki tried to resist and told Frank that since he was going to be the orchestra permanent conductor, they will surely recognise him. But Frank had back-up plan for that. He made a disguise for Chiaki and man was Chiaki looked weirder (but Rae loves him anyway :P). Chiaki ended up following Frank's suggestion thinking this might be a good opportunity for him to actually have a sneak peek on the orchestra after all. Inside the hall, Chiaki looked at the pieces that they're going to rehearse for the day and thought, "It had been a long time since high school. I might enjoy myself," and started to play (or something like that :P *giggle*. oh my super confident Chiaki!!!). As he played tremendously well (since the other members stopped doing what they're doing), the concert master came in and told him not to expect to much. Of course Chiaki recognised him from before. Before Chiaki could actually listened (and rehearse) with the group, the orchestra manager rushed in and told them a bad news - The recent conductor who were supposed to conduct them in the next concert had canceled his participation and returned home.. and practise for the day was canceled. Chiaki later overheard the conversation between the oke's manager(oke = short form for orchestra) and the concert master regarding the conductor issue. But from what he heard, it did not sound like the oke was feeling so happy to have him as their new conductor. Worst of all, the oke manager said they decided on Chiaki because he's young and CHEAP!! LOL~~~



After hearing what the concert master commented on him, Chiaki decided to do a well preparation for the next practise. But in the midst of this, he was disrupted by a phone call. It was Son Rui.

Chiaki went out to meet Son Rui not knowing that Nodame had been following (stalking) Rui from the conservatoire.

After the "love attack" by Nodame (they tried very hard to make it look like from the manga *me love*), the three of them went to Chiaki's house. While Son Rui told Chiaki that she's going to stay/ study in Paris and all, Nodame left them after introduced herself as Chiaki's wife. As Rui was about to leave, she give a quick kiss on Chiaki's cheek (of course a gesture the European normally do). Nodame, shocked by Chiaki's "normal"acceptance argue about it and she was then "thrown out" from the Chiaki's apartment. (** Rae knew that Chiaki however felt bad about it.. sigh)

Son Rui, Nodame and Chiaki at Chiaki's house while Nodame was all-up-acting as Chiaki's wife.

Now, having seeing this scene (not included in the trailer from youtube), I was slightly disappointed just like when I watched the anime. This scene could have been funnier if it was presented like in the manga (where Son Rui and Chiaki had conversation in English and talking bad about Nodame - Nodame speaks French and know very little English while Son Rui was not supposed to be good in her French*sigh*).

The two of them eventually went out shopping together the next day while Chiaki had his first rehearsal with Roux Marlet Oke

Well okay, so I had not introduce this person well enough. Let's meet the person who was going to make Chiaki's life even more miserable; the Roux Marlet's manager. Personally, I think the live-action manager looked more comical than the manga's version. In the manga, his name was Theo.
By the way, did I already mentioned Son Rui was like getting in between Chiaki and Nodame? Owh... I did :P but nothing could be more "nan desu ka!" moment from me when Son Rui played the celesta instead of Nodame (yeah!! thanks to you Mr. Roux Marlet Manager!!- sarcastic mode). It broke my heart more when Nodame insisted Chiaki to let Son Rui played instead of her after seeing the change of the orchestra's atmosphere to more positively after they met the world-well-known Son Rui (and thought that she was the one Chiaki's suggested to play the celesta to replace the missing person).

Nodame was so happy when Chiaki called and asked her to fill in the celesta seat that she even had a celebration @ Weirdo Forest.

Only to ...

Chiaki: Don't hide! Come out!
Nodame: It's okay sempai
Chiaki: But you're the one I asked
Nodame: It's okay. I'm not going to play! It's fine if Rui does it. (Nodame changed her tune-->) You have to observe the mood here. This is what I'm good for... (Nodame's hand movement..)
silence..............
Chiaki: I'm sorry

Okay, I had been through this scene numerous time through the anime and the manga but it still breaks my heart!

At the end, the performance *with Rui on stage* ended with a BIG wohoo!!! (another sarcastic comment).

Matsuda-sama making faces while listening to the orchestra.
I think I missed Matsuda (the R*Star*oke conductor) from the previous season.

For those who have not yet watched the first season and SP, there was a flashback on what happened before (and how I missed those old days of Chiaki and Nodame) and it sure brought lots of memories *heart*.

Kuroki then made another appearance when he was practising with Tanya in order to join Chiaki's oke at Roux Marlet.

And while we're at it, you should not miss Nodame's killer stew that almost killed (literally speaking) Kuroki-kun earlier. Yes, that's why he excused himself from having dinner at Nodame's house leaving poor Frank and Tanya which, both of them later suffered from stomachache (and Tanya fainted at the end of Kuroki's audition to enter Chiaki's oke).

In the almost 3rd quarter of the movie, there's a short appearance of Jean and his Japanese girlfriend (forgot her name *sigh*) doing some advertisement activity (shouldn't this done by other people??) and met with a Nippon style of advertisement thanks to Nodame. I actually missed this another-weird-couple very much.

As the story went on, Chiaki finally improved his PR skill, getting along with the concert master and the rest of the orchestra, along with some more new additional team members (and Kuroki-kun of course since he made it into the oke). But while the movie closed with Chiaki's excellent performance (it really was!!) and managed to stand proud... Nodame sat there with her eyes staring on the floor.

and with that... the movie 1
~fin~

I knew what will be coming in the second movement, "thanks" to the spoiler at the end of the first part. Therefore it made my heart cried out for more. While I find Kuroki to appear more manlier, Chiaki had grown much older (comparing to the very first season of NC) but man he glow. Well okay, I could have biased here :P but Chiaki was like my ultimate sempai okay... so hush!!! Even though that this series were by far the best adaptation from manga to live screen yet (in Rae's opinion), there's of course flaws (which I think were hard to resist) in attempting to get the comical manga feeling. Yup, in case you have not notice... the double-body of Nodame by using a plush toy (it looked plushy to me) was epic <-- sarcastic comment.

After MONTHS of waiting for the first part of the movie... I can't help but wonder, "Can I wait until the end of the year for the second part?". Worst yet... I might had to wait for NEXT YEAR! *faint*.