Warai no daigaku (2004)

Director:

Mamoru Hoshi

Writer:

Kôki Mitani (writer)

Release Date:

30 October 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

In pre-war Japan, a government censor tries to make the writer for a theater troupe alter his comedic script. As they work with and against each other, the script ends up developing in unexpected ways. |

Plot Keywords:

Censorship | Theatrical Play | Satire | Army | Repression

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Kôji Yakusho	...	Mutsuo Sakisaka
Gorô Inagaki	...	Hajime Tsubaki
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tae Kimura
Masao Komatsu	...	Kanta Aozora
Masaya Takahashi	...	Police Officer in the Corridor

Also Known As:

University of Laughs (literal English title) (International: English title)

Runtime:

Japan:121 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Company:

Fuji Television Network

Trivia:

Based on the stage play of the same name by the same writer.

Good Film, but perhaps too "Simple"

I went into this movie knowing only the title , "WARAI NO DAIGAKU" (UNIVERSITY OF LAUGHS) and that it was in Japanese. Having seen it, I think it's a good film to see in the theater (to share the audience's experience), but I wouldn't buy it.

The film, which is based on a screen play, may seemed a little simple/minimalist at times (and in some ways, it is). But, it's original, unpredictable, and simply enjoyable to watch as you become more involved with the interactions between the young play write and the censor.

I didn't really think of the acting while watching the film--but that's a sign of good acting, right, when the viewer doesn't second guess the events unfolding on screen. So, I think the acting was very believable and good.

From an outside cultural viewpoint, it was interesting seeing a 1940s Japan, where the streets signs aren't plagued by English or katakana. In addition to simply seeing sets and wardrobe from the 1940s, and coming to understand how comedy was back then, there are a couple social comments as well (about the war).

UNIVERSITY OF LAUGHS is not just a slap-stick comedy or purely for entertainment value, and that surprised me. Depth and personality (and conflicts) are developed in a short amount of time on screen, and social issues of the time (which still apply today) are even addressed at times.

If you want to lose yourself in a story for a couple hours while laughing a little and seeing 1940s Japan, this film is for you. But I don't think it leaves enough of an impression to become a hit with audiences overseas.