Honey and Clover

(aka "Honey and Clover" or "Hachimitsu to Clover")

directed by Masahiro Takada
Japan 2006

Based on the hit anime of the same name, “Honey and Clover” deals with five college art students. While the premise may sound simple, it’s quite the opposite; the characters struggle through school, work, and love. All within the confines of a university, “Honey and Clover” showcases the journey that everyone must take from being a young adult and following the long and challenging road to becoming a full fledged adult.

First off, the cast is wonderfully presented. Their likeliness to their anime counterparts is great and for the most part (albeit hair color) spot on. The mannerisms of the cast also reflected the anime greatly and fans of the anime will certainly enjoy this aspect of the film. Another great aspect of the film is definitely the cinematography. Since this film’s environment is mostly held at or around an art school, you would expect for most part, as viewer, to be stimulated visually, right? Indeed this is the case with “Honey and Clover”. The film accurately displays the happenings of an art school, from the constant unfinished student projects scattered about, to the multiple classes that artstudents participate in, it is faithfully recreated here.

The musical score by famous composer Yoko Kanno is wonderfully implemented into the movie too. I for one have taken notice that Kanno is starting to produce more film scores, and she has done great job so far. With her most recent contributions to Su-ki-da and Kamikaze Girls, her slow transition from anime composition to film composition can only be seen as a good thing. I hope to see her contribute more to the realm of films in the future. Putting music aside though, “Honey and Clover” does run into some slight problems…

Excerpt from Cinema-Repose

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Theatrical Release: July 2006

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DVD Comparison:

Asmik (Normal Edition - Japan Version) - Region 2 - NTSC vs. VIZ Video - Region 1 - NTSC

Big thanks to Luiz R. for the Review!

Asmik (Normal Edition - Japan Version) - Region 2 - NTSC LEFT vs. VIZ Video - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT

DVD Box Cover	Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best...
Distribution	Asmik Region 2 - NTSC	VIZ Video Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:55:52	1:55:44
Video	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 8.37 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 8.24 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Asmik
Bitrate: VIZ
Audio	Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)	Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	Japanese, English, none	Japanese, English, none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Asmik Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Dual Layered DVD • 2 Audio Commentaries • Trailers and Teasers DVD Release Date: January 12th, 2007 Keep Case Chapters 24	Release Information: Studio: VIZ Video Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Dual Layered DVD • Hanamonto Study Group Discussion (6:52) • Director and cast text bios • Japanese Trailers and Teasers • VIZ Pictures Presents • VIZ Media Presents DVD Release Date: May 13th, 2007 White Keep Case Chapters 24

Comments:

ADDITION: VIZ Video - May 08': This new VIZ Video edition is not far off the Asmik, especially enticing if you take into consideration price. It is also dual-layered, anamorphic and progressive - the bitrates look about as similar as the images - hardly anything between them. Asmik might be the superior if I was absolutely forced to choose. Same audio and English subtitle options although the VIZ are in a ghastly yellow. Translations seem good.

No real extras save a 7 minute informal sit-down with cast and crew discussing the film - their impressions etc. The commentaries on the Asmik are in Japanese with no English subbed option. Big selling feature is the comparative price of the Region 1 and the 'Normal Asmik Edition' seems out of print.

I agree with Luiz' assessment of the film - sweet, simple and aesthetically appealing - very Japanese.... and certainly worth watching. It has some beautiful moments and the characterizations have translated well to the screen. As stated below the music is a big part of this film's mood-fulfilling enjoyment. Maturation is a big theme. Recommended!

****

ON THE ASMIK:

VIDEO:
This is a basic quality release, it is dual-layered, progressive, and generally clean. There is just one scene where noise is wider and more aggressive but the rest of the transfer gives a very balanced presentation - full of colors and precise cinematography with occasional subtle, but attractive, CGs.

AUDIO:
I believe Yoko Kano's soundtrack is the most captivating part of the audio, although sometimes the music gets a bit dull and uncalled for. Anyway, I only tested the 5.1 option and in my opinion it does a fine job considering the limited surround experience the movie offers.

EXTRAS:
There are no considerable supplements, just some trailers and a couple of un-subtitled (Japanese language) commentaries.

The movie, based on the homologous popular TV-Series, will look familiar to anime fans that will probably find it a good adaptation. If you didn't watch the entire series, like me, and are not sure about what to expect, you may find this shares some similarities with Shunji Iwai's more 'innocent' works, like "Hana and Alice" or "April Story". This is not a reference work but I found it enjoyable.

- Luiz R.

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Asmik (Normal Edition - Japan Version) - Region 2 - NTSC LEFT vs. VIZ Video - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT