Puraido

I started watching Pride with low expectations, not even knowing that it was directed by Shûsuke Kaneko, the same guy that directed the Death Note movies or Azumi 2.

It is a small movie, about two women who dream about getting a chance to become opera singers. We have Shio Asami (Stephanie) and Moe Midorika (Hikari Mitsushima), that meet when the second goes to clean the first one's house. Shio has an extra ticket for an opera, and invites Moe. From that night at the opera, their enmity starts, and their hate for each other just becomes stronger and stronger as they class on a series of issues, from music to men to social status. And Pride does a good job to keep as wondering if any of the two will come on top, if Shio or Moe will win this battle of wills. And also Kaneko and the script do a good job on making as care for both of them, as Shio and Moe show good and bad traits.

Stephanie is one of the most stoic actresses I've seen lately, meaning his face expressions are close to zero. But when you get used to that, you see she expresses a little bit with her eyes. But her range seems limited, at least in this movie. To compensate Hikari Mitsushima decides to overact in a couple of scenes, but she comes as way more lively than her counterpart.

A good movie, with strong characters and an interesting plot.