PING PONG (DVD ~ 2007)!

PING PONG (DVD ~ 2007)!

I’VE HAD THIS JAPANESE IMPORT HANGING AROUND ON DVD FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, FINALLY VIEWING IT THIS WEEKEND ~ AND LOVING IT!

BASED ON A POPULAR JAPANESE MAGNA, THE FILM IS SIMPLE AND CHARMING, YET MANAGES TO HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE NATURE OF COMPETITION, THE VALUE OF UNUSED TALENT, UNSELFISHNESS, AND WHERE HEROES COME FROM.

FROM THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

This charming film from Japan uses the sport of table-tennis to explore the friendship between two young men who have different approaches to both life and the game that it revolves around. When one of them loses to a rival at a big high-school tournament, it sparks a conflict between them that could either end their lifelong companionship or bring them closer than ever before.

Based on Taiyo Matsumoto's highly successful manga of the same name. Ever since the day Peco (Yôsuke Kubozuka) rescued Smile (Arata) from a gang of bullies and introduced him to the game of table tennis, the pair have been inseparable friends.

Now Peco is a peculiar teenager who wants no less than to be the best player in the world, but lacks the self-discipline to carry his plan through - while the withdrawn, slightly arrogant Smile probably has more natural talent than anyone, but just plays'to kill time' rather than to win, and his reluctance to see other players (especially Peco) humiliated makes him hold back in his own game, much to the annoyance of Ota, his coach (Naoto Takenaka).

After Peco is sorely beaten in a tournament and quits the game, Smile continues his rise to the top, preparing the way for the return of his hero Peco, whom he is destined to meet in one last match.

Starring: Arata, Sam Lee, Shido Nakamura, Yosuke Kubozuka

A FUN FILM AND WELL WORTH WATCHING.