Secret: A Hidden Score (Ienai Himitsu) | 2024 | 1h 55m
Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance | Country: Japan
Director: Hayato Kawai | Writers: Saya Matsuda
Cast: Taiga Kyômoto, Kotone Furukawa, Mayu Yokota
IMDB: 6.9
My Rate: 9/10
Minato decides to stop playing the piano after the trauma he experienced, but his encounter with Yukino opens up new hope in his world. Although fate is not on their side.
Synopsis:
Minato (Taiga Kyomoto) has to return to Japan after experiencing trauma at his university in England. Minato continues his studies at the same place as his childhood friend, Hikari (Mayuu Yokota). While walking around with Hikari, Minato goes to an old building that was once used as a piano practice space. It is there that Minato meets Yukino (Kotone Furukawa) who has just finished playing a song that is unfamiliar to Minato's ears.
The meeting happens again where Yukino turns out to be in the same class as Minato. Minato's curiosity towards Yukino makes him want to get to know her better. The feelings between the two continue to grow. A seat in the garden near the old building becomes their regular meeting place.
One day, Yukino witnesses Minato competing in a piano competition with one of the students at the university. That day, Yukino realizes that Minato has trauma and fear in playing the piano. Yukino tries to help Minato to rediscover happiness in playing music. They spend their days together and little by little Minato's trauma is healed.
Until one day, an unexpected event shakes their relationship. A misunderstanding occurs after Yukino sees Minato with Hikari. Yukino disappears, making Minato confused, and even his arrival at Yukino's house doesn't end well.
Will their love be able to return?
Review:
Secret: A Hidden Score is an adaptation/remake of the movie Secret (2007). Some remakes will usually follow the original story, but this movie takes a different path. The screenwriter chooses to use a different point of view and brings new ideas to be presented on screen. However, the story is presented quite well by giving a new touch that is not found in the main film and fixing some plot holes in the main film.
The difference is evident from the foundation of the male lead's background story, where in this film the reason for returning to Japan is shown because of the trauma he experienced. In addition, Minato is made to seem like he wants to stop playing the piano. While in the main film, the male lead loves the piano very much and can even show his abilities when competing with his colleague. However, in this film, Minato actually loses in the competition.
The background of the male lead's parents is also changed, not a lecturer, but just a cafe owner. While his mother is very busy, so the character of the mother is not shown. This also changes the connection between the female lead and the male lead's parents. Broadly speaking, this difference is really felt. Rather than using the term remake, it seems more appropriate to say inspired because the director applies the principle of observe, imitate, and modify, which makes the story similar but not the same.
Apart from the comparison with the main film. This film can be enjoyed well. The storyline is presented systematically and logically. The chemistry between the actors is also presented very well. Even the supporting character, Hikari, can show her feelings well. By changing Hikari to Minato's childhood friend, the audience can understand the feelings of love and jealousy that Hikari feels, even with limited scenes.
Unfortunately, one of the main attractions of the main film has not been successfully shown in this film, namely the stunning music playing. Although the choice of music can still be said to be quite good, it is felt that the difficulty level is below that of the main film. Moreover, the 'secret' song played is a type of mellow music, so it doesn't give the climactic atmosphere needed to boost the audience's adrenaline. Also, the piano playing is not actually done by the actors themselves.
On the bright side, the producer still retains some iconic scenes from the main film, such as the conversation between Minato and Yukino about Chopin's love and his lover and the scene of them dancing together at the party. These scenes give meaning in this film because they are related to their love story. And it becomes a connecting bridge for the plot twist at the end.
Another advantage is that the story is shown from the female lead's POV. So the audience can feel and also understand the whole story from both sides. The improvement made is seen from the end of the story which is slightly more relevant and logical in the time timeline. The audience can still feel the romance and sadness that linger in their hearts.
Overall, although there are many differences compared to the
main film, this film provides a very good and memorable presentation in its own
way. And we can see the special uniqueness that we usually find in Japanese
romance films. The acting of the actors is also very good. It will definitely
be one of the films that will be an alternative in the films to be rewatched.
Memorable Scene:
Yukino invites Minato to play the piano together when they
visit Minato's family cafe. Although initially Minato felt that he no longer
found pleasure in playing the piano, his playing with Yukino rekindled the
spirit and joy that had been buried. In this scene, we can see the happiness
radiating from both of them. Plus, the stunning lighting adds meaning to this
scene.
Memorable Dialogue:
"If we are destined to meet, we will meet."
Ending:
Sad Ending
Recommendation:
Must Watch
(Aluna)
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