The Tale of Genji

I wrote this for a class, which explains why it's a bit more analytical/spoiler-filled.

Someone from my age group discussing The Tale of Genji can't possibly do so without mentioning it's pace, so I'll get it out of the way: It's very slow. It goes on for a very long time without that much really happening. It wasn't too boring, honestly, I was usually at least somewhat interested in seeing what the playboy main character would do next. But it definitely could have said as much in a shorter time.

The art style wasn't too flashy but was still attractive, I found some of the character designs to be a little too similar facially but the animation was effective and right for the tone of the movie. When things get weird at the end there are some interesting visual touches, but I sort of stopped paying attention and the non-ending kind of ruined any poignancy that scene might have had.

It's a somewhat symbolic story. It doesn't really matter who he sleeps with, because he sleeps with everyone. The interesting part is that anyone who he beds seems to be doomed, or at least adversely affected in some way. The cherry blossoms represent his wounded past, and their appearance when he is bed are a harbinger of bad things for those with him. I would definitely never watch it again but it was a fairly well done film for its audience.