By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2 cats
Director: Takashi Nakamura
Starring: Akiko Hiramatsu | Megumi Toyoguchi
Original language title: Parumu no Ki
Country: japan
Year: 2005
Running time: 130
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346336/combined
Michael says: “I’ve been trying to keep up with 2005 films I’ve missed in the theatre by catching them on DVD when they appear. The most recent in this category is a bit of Japanese anime entitled A TREE OF PALME. This film played earlier this year at the Brattle Theatre, and I wasn’t able to see it on the big screen. As it turns out, I’m glad I didn’t bother. Basically a riff on
the Pinocchio story, A TREE OF PALME is too convoluted for its own good. The storyline is extremely complex, involving various tribes, sentient trees, abusive fathers, and all-too human desires, just to name a few. The animation is a little disappointing as well, with some scenes filled with the wonder and beauty you expect from this type of film, and others coming off flat and even rushed.
“It’s ironic that A TREE OF PALME earned a theatrical run, while the far superior (and also now available on DVD) APPLESEED did not. Take my advice, skip PALME and go for APPLESEED. 2 cats”