Synopsis
In April 2007, a couple is having a wedding ceremony. It seems to be a typical wedding but the bride is suffering from a late-stage breast cancer and only has a month to live. In July 2007, a TV documentary ,”Yomei Ikkagetsu no Hanayome,” moved the Japanese people to tears and spawned a best-selling book. In this regard, it was highly possible that their story could be successfully made into a movie. In addition, director HIROKI Ryuichi and talented actor and actress such as Eita and EIKURA Nana increased the possibilities to succeed. Aside from the real story from the TV documentary, April Bride is a well-made movie.
April Bride is a story about a 24-year-old woman named Chie who has a breast cancer and a man named Taro who loves Chie. Recomposing the real story into a movie, HIROKI elaborates their relationship in a more appealing way. Chie leaves Taro due to her breast cancer, but the director did not express their breakup too dramatically but in a placid mood. When Chie is diagnosed only one month and Taro starts to prepare for the wedding, the film heads to the emotional climax. The development to the climax makes the audience realize the power of HIROKI’s directing as he proceeds with the commercially planned story in his own way. In addition, EIKURA and Eita’s performance is also excellent.
With the film’s pure image of while and painful separation, April Bride is a pure melodrama. However, the film’s power to appeal to the audience is irresistible. Since its release in Japan in May 2009, April Bride is still shown in the movies. (KWON Yong Min)