grant.melany - 2016-03-09 20:28:37

It was after seeing the excellent "Summer with coo" by the same director that I was interested in Colorful I therefore looked forward and I had the chance to see at the premiere in the presence director Keiichi Hara. 
It is in this case the adaptation of a Japanese novel, not having read the book, I can't evaluate the quality of adaptation but the film is, however, in my heart a true success!
Contrary to what one might expect, this movie doesn't turn to the fantastic but it is primarily a drama, the beginning and the rebirth of a spirit in the body of Matoko and tell the story in an original way and it works wonderfully, so the film deals with a sensitive subject: the suicide of a Japanese schoolboy. The malaise of youth is a topic often discussed and criticized in this society and is treated more or less successful and sometimes a little too Manichean. In this movie it is therefore not a simple observation but a message of hope for this lost youth, a reminder that life is precious nonetheless. 
It is through the spirit that takes possession of this body that we discover together with the reasons for this suicide and we follow his progress through this new life. We can only identify a character, particularly if they also experienced difficult tests, so it is simply the story of life, life can sometimes be cruel but is also capable to offer beautiful moments. This is the main message of this film, the hope, the will to live despite the trials and know enjoy the good sides of life, so this is a humanist movie that while denouncing some aspect of the company gives us hope and reminds us that life is worth to be lived. Maybe the message is there a little too optimistic, but we must admit that it feels good! 
Technically, the animation is rather nice despite some awkward passages, the characters have their own identity and charm, more like summer with coo, the film allows us to see a glimpse of Japanese culture even the uninitiated of the latter.
Colorful therefore is a movie that I recommend to all, old or young, anime fan or not, and I very much hope that this director will continue to make films of this quality and I would answer this blow over!

afeeney - 2015-04-18 18:01:28

the best slice of life movie i have ever watched in my whole life and i feel it deserves a lot more credit. The way the story progressed, it shows there may actually be people out there who feel the same and have gone through the same or even worse, but no matter what you should not lose yourself and become simple like a color but express your true self and all the different colours you can express because thats what it means to be colourful. Maybe the suicide and resurrection was unrealistic but what i believe is that the writer is trying to convey different perspectives to the boys life in order to help the people understand and sympathize with the character  to understand that the people who are different are in fact unique and they have their own talents

margot15 - 2014-01-31 09:54:32

The film "Colorful" is quite a deep film. Yet it is filled with depression, if you want a happy film (for most of the way) that makes you feel good, this is not it. Although the ending is quite inspiring.

Sometimes it's the small things in life that cause the most influence.

The story of a middle schooler, Makoto Kobayashi who commit suicide after witnessing some - to him - emotionally crushing events.

Now a random soul in a room of souls, here to basically be banished from the ability to reincarnate, has won "The Lottery" to be reincarnated whether he wants to or not. He will inhabit the recently deceased Makoto, and in order to complete "The Trial" he must remember his sin, almost without any help.

His family and a few people along the way try to help him in his life.

This is a strange film. It is almost unbearably depressing, and even more so, because it very realistic.

But, it is a very deep film, with some amazing lines that are hard to miss. Although, I only noticed most of them around the last 30 minutes of the film.

This is most definitely a slice of life film in a realistic, drama filled setting. The type of drama in this picture is extremely passive aggressive, with unaddressed remorse and regret. Being someone who has experienced and been apart of this type of personality, it really hit home and made me feel more depressed while watching.

You can tell I do not like these types of films.

But that is just me, this film is beautiful work.

They took a realistic approach with the art, which made the story even more effective. The animation is mostly fluid, and facial expressions are well done.

The music in this film is your basic Kow Ohtani sound, except higher quality. You could say it's in league with the score of "Haibane Renmei" respectively. Other than a couple of pieces that annoyed me (I've listened to a lot of Kow Ohtani), It fit the production very well. Amazingly he managed to make the film feel even more depressing.

The seiyuu are mostly very well done. Sometimes Makoto sounds like a man doing a high pitch voice though (apparently that is what the Seiyuu is actually doing, go figure). Some scenes with yelling (Not many yelling scenes) could have used a bit more power in the diaphragm in my opinion.

Every character in this show is dysfunctional. Makoto's family is extremely dysfunctional, including Makoto.

PuraPura is an "Angel" who gave the "random" spirit, now in the body of Makoto, a "Second Chance".

Makoto Kobayashi is the character that you learn about in this film, so any development here would spoil the movie. I'll mention that he's confused in the beginning.

Makoto no Haha is Makoto's mother, she has some personal problems.

Makoto no Chichi is Makoto's dad, he has some personal problems.

Mitsuru Kobayashi is Makoto's brother, he also has some personal problems.

They are mostly not addressed, but you can tell on their faces and in the way they speak to each other.

Satome, Hiroka, and Shouko are the "Friends" that help Makoto remember his sin and basically live, all in a very dysfunctional way.

---

This film is a great film, it teaches the importance of being alive, that little things can be important, and you can learn some amazing things at the most unusual times, places, and events, unexpectedly, and even more. This is a very deep film.

I must warn you though, this is a depressing film, and doesn't do anything to change that, and some may not feel better by the end. Luckily, I did.

I do think this film deserves its awards, and praise, but It's not the type of film I would visit often, maybe never again.

blair50 - 2013-06-10 11:48:41

Based on the first person narrative by Mori Eto, Colorful is a film directed by Keiichi Hara that details the story of a soul that committed a grave sin. The soul is chosen to have a second chance at life to remember the sin it committed. It possesses the body of a 14 year old boy who committed suicide, named Makoto Kobayashi. During its stay at earth, through the eyes of Makoto, the soul begins to realize and accept the circumstances of real life and begins to learn that about the harshness and beauty of reality through the colors of humanity.It is a beautiful movie that is worth to try, especially if you like drama and supernatural things. However, it is roughly 2 hours long, and very slow paced, so if you are someone with a lack of attention and prefer something fast paced with action, don't watch this. There are parts that detail the banality of real life, which do make it boring in between. The animation is gorgeous with clear attention to detail, so that is a definite plus. All in all, this is a good movie if you have a lot of time and patience, and if you are a deep thinker.