Yama no Tom-san (2015)

This was a gentle film, but I found it frustrating. It has only loose connections to the original book, and there really wasn't much of a narrative arc. The cat who plays Tom is very cute, but he seems to be referred to only in passing. It's as if the people developing this show thought "we'd like to make a show about the farming lifestyle, but oh yeh - the title we've chosen mentions a cat, so we better show some scenes with the cat from time to time".

And I felt sorry for the actors here too, especially the adult ones. There was little to no chance to show off much by way of dramatic range or skill. Although they played their characters well, I get the impression none of it was a stretch for them.

As a standalone movie, it's a bit boring, unless perhaps one is homesick for the countryside, and dreams of a slower way of life. It's not what I was expecting, considering the original children's story likely has scope for more action one way or another.

A Japanese version of the original book can be found here: http://www.yesasia.com/us/yama-no-tomusan-hoka-itsupen-fukuinkan-bunko-%EF%BD%93-60/1024366568-0-0-0-en/info.html
However, given the story was originally published decades ago, it could be out of print. I have so far been unable to find an English or third language translation of it.

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