Review of W no higeki

W no higeki (1984)
6/10
Another actress sells (or perhaps pawns) her soul for stardom
26 May 2004
The lead actress in this movie, Hiroko Yakushimaru, was highly popular in Japan in the 80's. Here she proves herself at least competent, and perhaps a bit more than that, as an actress.

The plot involves a number of college-age drama students auditioning for a part in a play, where they will act together with famous professionals. It is a career-making chance, and one girl nearly gets the coveted part, but soon stumbles upon a chance to snatch the part away from another by compromising her principles a bit (...no, we're not talking about sleeping her way into the cast, or at least not in this case). The real-life drama gradually comes to mirror the story of the play being performed.

Not too bad overall, tho Yakushimaru does overact in places, and there are some painful cliches, particularly toward the end. This story has a lot in common with both All About Eve (some actors will do whatever it takes to become a star), and the musical Chicago (notoriety brings fame, which can be parlayed into stage fame).

6/10
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