Worth: $16.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Kiichi Nakai, Kenichi Matsuyama, Keiko Kitagawa, Yukino Kishii, Isao Hashizume
Intro:
… enjoyable, humorous and highly entertaining …
Present day Japan… Yasuharu Ikemoto (Kiichi Nakai) is driving to his job at the Katori City Hall, listening to a DJ talking about cartographer and local hero, Tadataka Inō. The DJ wants to know why a historical TV series has not yet been made about Inō … Later that morning, when put on the spot during a meeting about drumming up tourism, Ikemoto latches on to the DJ’s idea.
And so, begin two stories: one set in present day Japan and one in the past, with Ikemoto in the present trying to get the TV series off the ground, while back in Edo period Japan, Inō’s team are telling tall tales and making the historic map.
Dreaming of the Meridian Arc shows that the 1821 map is truly a work of wonder. Despite not having the advantage of an aerial view, Inō’s map is staggering in its accuracy. This much is true. But the filmmakers also get playful with history, imagining that Inō died three years before the map was completed, and his team hides the fact to keep the funds flowing and allow for the map to be finished.
In the present day, Ikemoto is assisted by Hiroaki Kinoshita (Kenichi Matsuyama)… and the actors behind these characters (as well as others, including Keiko Kitagawa) also play roles in the historical storyline. The dual roles are clever and show off the cast’s considerable acting chops. They have real versatility, and the ploy helps the audience connect to the characters.
But despite the fine performances and strong production values, Dreaming of the Meridian Arc doesn’t quite evoke the past as well as it could or should have. It lags at times, but just when it starts to feel as though it might outstay its welcome, the viewer is rewarded with truly magical filmmaking as it nears its conclusion.
Despite the few flatter patches, Dreaming of the Meridian Arc is recommended viewing. It comes together, resulting in an enjoyable, humorous and highly entertaining whole – light entertainment with a clever twist or two up its historical sleeve.
