Scoop!
— MOVIES WORTH WATCHING —
A film that lingers long after the credits roll …
SCOOP!
Actor Masaharu Fukuyama's performance is gutsy, spirited, and mesmerising to watch.
Screened in Hong Kong: 12 AUG 2020
Masaharu Fukuyama in Scoop
Scoop! is a hilariously entertaining film that sparks bursts of joy and delight, sprinkled with small doses of serious lessons on mental illness, debt, and fear.
What an unexpected surprise — a beloved character; Shizuka is wonderfully captured by the brilliant actor Masaharu Fukuyama, who has a strong camera presence and truly gives it his all.
Fukuyama transforms effortlessly into the role of an aging paparazzo — but what is especially unique and impressive is that his presence lingers long after the film has ended. His energy and vigor recall the wild authenticity of Oscar winner Nicolas Cage, both in the way he embraces the fun-loving challenge of playing a string of unlikely, fascinating roles and in how he leaves a distinct imprint on the viewer.
Shizuka is paired with a ‘green’ rookie reporter, Nobi, played by Fumi Nikaidô, and they are tasked with obtaining the exclusive celebrity Scoop!
Their witty banter and on-screen chemistry amuse and engage throughout, creating a warm, often uproarious dynamic that drives much of the film’s charm.
“It has to be written by the woman he last loved.”
It can be intimidating playing opposite Masaharu Fukuyama but Fumi Nikaidô remarkably stands firmly on her own.
Fumi Nikaidô in Scoop
Actors Masaharu Fukuyama and Fumi Nikaidô
Intimate scenes in a comedy are difficult, with many attempts coming up empty and feeling hollow. This, however, feels like a blast of fresh air under director Hitoshi Ône, who brings tenderness and careful attention to a whole other level.
Ône treats the early stages of sensual foreplay as a beautifully lit, lingering memory rather than a gag, and the sequence unfolds with a quiet, intimate patience. It is not comedic in the usual sense but instead offers a deeply personal point of view, spectacularly capturing Nobi’s feelings with subtlety and restraint.
The scene clearly benefits from accomplished direction, sensitive camera work, and thoughtful editing. The entire film crew deserves mention as well, because their evident enthusiasm and collaborative joy during filming translate into a natural, genuine warmth that shines onscreen.
Film:
Scoop!
Screenwriter/Director:
Hitoshi Ône
Cinematographer:
Gen Kobayashi
Editor:
Yasuyuki Ohzeki
Art Direction:
Wataru Hirai
Costume Designer:
Daisuke Iga
Remake of Masato Harada's "Out of Focus".A Film that Plainly Speaks Volumes about Friendship and Loyalty.
Actors Masaharu Fukuyama and Lily Franky