271. Ryuichi Sakamoto - CODA; movie review

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO: CODA
Cert PG
101 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild threat, references to violence

The value of music to the cinema should never be underestimated.
Just think of the opening credits of James Bond, the shower scene in Psycho and the score of the spaghetti westerns and many more to understand how they can lift pictures.
Indeed, one of composer Ryuichi Sakamoto's pieces - the score of Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence -  has passed the test of time better than the film itself.
Sakamoto is one of the world's great musicians - his CV is incredibly diverse, ranging from the pop of the Yellow Magic Orchestra to modern classical.
Stephen Nomura Schible's film chronicles Sakamoto's career, intertwining commentary and footage with more recent life moments - including the fall-out of the Japanese tsunami and his fight with cancer.
It is very personal movie during which Sakamoto is modest about his achievements but, almost inadvertently, demonstrates his genius.
This is particularly clear when he records sounds in most unlikely scenarios, seeing the possibility of using them in his work.
He also tells of how, in his youth, he managed to respond to near impossible deadlines and came up with some fantastic (not his word) scores.
It is a fascinating insight into the work of Sakamoto while also being a poignant record of what happens when someone is thrown off course by cancer.
His mental tug-of-war over whether he should be working or forsaking all to concentrate on his health is enlightening.
But this is not a warts and all biopic. It feels as if Sakomoto is only revealing what he wants people to know so do not expect too many revelations about his private life.
I suppose this is to be expected. Every genius likes to be in charge.

Reasons to watch: The inside track on one of the world's greatest living composers
Reasons to avoid: Nothing about his early life or family

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Director quote - Stephen Nomura Schible: "Knowing his history, of how he was once considered to be a kind of pop-icon who represented Japan's technological advancements through his work with Yellow Magic Orchestra, and seeing how he had changed to become an environmentalist and an activist in the aftermath of the disaster made me think that there was a unique story arch, that there was a story to be told somehow."

The big question - How do rare people such as Sakamoto have such a brilliant ear?

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