Film Pick - Boku no kanojo wa saibôgu

My recent film pick is an enchanting film called 僕の彼女はサイボーグ (Boku no kanojo wa saibôgu). This translates into "My girlfriend is a Cyborg," but was given the title, "Cyborg She" for the English-language translation. It's about a lonely and geeky fellow named Jiro, played by Koide Keisuke (小出 恵介), who on his birthday ends up meeting the girl of his dreams, who is played by super-cute actress Ayase Haruka (綾瀬 はるか). As the two get to know each other, Jiro comes to learn that his new girlfriend is actually a time-traveling, super-human Cyborg from the future whose life is already well-intertwined with his in ways that he will only come to learn in time.

Honestly, I thought this movie was absolutely delightful. All the essential elements of special-effects-enhanced sci-fi, tear-inducing drama and heart-warming love story were blended seamlessly into a wonderful film that was a joy to watch and drew its audience into the story quite easily. Critics of the movie might scoff at the seemingly unrealistic and sometimes paradoxical storyline development, but I don't think that realism was a goal that this writer-director was striving to reach. Instead I saw this movie as a refreshing, unique and thoughtful new approach to the story of a relationship between man and woman. Korean director Kwak Jae-young did something that is rarely accomplished successfully-- he meaningfully combined well-made time travel science fiction with a dramatic sub-plot based in meaningful family tradition into a very charming love story with fascinating and unexpected plot-twists, exciting adventures and multiple, parallel endings!

The other aspect of the film that really pulled this story together is the way actors Koide and Ayase and carried their roles perfectly. Their natural on-screen chemistry really made the unusual story come to life in a way that makes the movie a truly fetching experience for their audience. These two make a great acting pair and work together to make their relationship in this film into something believable and convincing, despite the extraordinary circumstances that brought them together.

I have to admit that I had my reservations about this movie going into it, but I was totally captivated very soon after it started and found myself enjoying every minute of it. I definitely recommend this wonderful film to movie fans of all varieties who want to enjoy a fresh twist on the tried-and-true. This is a great movie for dates, I might add, but it would certainly make for a nice relaxing evening at home, too. Check it out and see what I'm saying for yourself!