This definitely betrays its nature as a TV movie. The production values are decidedly modest and bare-faced, nevermind the special effects that at their most grandiose are outdated even by the standards of 1999. There's also the early ham-handedness that comes with centering a high school student, and at that a high school student with a crush on a boy; in some measure this bears the look and feel of a show for the afternoon teenage audience, but with the production values of a public access cable channel. None of this is specifically a mark against 'Oyayubihime,' but it behooves one to have an idea of what they're sitting for. Given the premise and story there's a fair bit of awkwardness in the first part of the length - though with all that said, such matters shrink in their importance as the plot develops. As a twisted modern-day variation on a fairy tale, the simple fact of the matter is that this is a lot of fun! Fanciful and weird, with increasingly darker stripes along the way, this little flick is actually wonderfully imaginative, and when you get down to it I kind of love it!
Seeing as Kuriyama Chiaki rose to fame with violent action and pure horror films, it's a minor delight just to see her in something a tad different earlier in her career. She's very disarming as protagonist Saeko, demonstrating capable range, personality, and otherwise skill in portraying a lovesick girl whose heartfelt confession goes awry and leads down a terrible path - and to my pleasure, she also has the opportunity to embrace her creepy side, and boy does she ever. Kuriyama alone does a lot to carry this all by herself, really, as Saeko's plucky disposition and naivete help the proceedings shift from genuine and varied flavors of comedy (that is, sometimes light and silly, sometimes very raunchy, and sometimes just black), to smaller touches of earnestness that come with comedy-drama, and from gentler hues of fantasy to some pointedly darker strains. Takahashi Issei is rather adept himself as love interest Yuichi, making a great scene partner for Kuriyama, not to mention Asai Erina, and others in the cast readily take advantage of the exaggerated, high-strung character writing they are given.
Terrific as the cast is, all this is certainly a strong credit to screenwriter Kudo Kankuro, too. I was frankly unprepared for the turns the narrative would take, and the accompanying tone, for at the outset the picture is so lighthearted, almost suggesting something that one might see on The Disney Channel. Suffice to say that 'Oyayubihime' veers very far from that vibe; though retaining the sense of a warped fairy tale, unlike its influences the script tends much more toward sheer genre reverie, and any morals that may have theoretically been imparted get garbled along the way. That's okay, though, because Kankuro knew well what he was writing, and the hard turns in the story make for excellent sinister storytelling. The characters, dialogue, and scene writing are all rich, varied, and flavorful in their own ways, enough so that each is a welcome little spark of joy in and of themselves - and gratifyingly, the direction is just as deft as it guides the feature through the changing moods.
I appreciate the editing and cinematography, especially where atypical angles are employed to shape perspectives in keeping with the spirit of the story. To that same end, there is some bright ingenuity in the visuals of persons both big and small sharing the screen, and of mundane environments seen and used in a new way. Everyone operating behind the scenes turned in splendid work, including some music that serves as enticing complement throughout. And just as important as all this, it really strikes me now and again just how much everyone was enjoying themselves while making this, above all Kuriyama as she takes the spotlight and has the most time in front of the camera. All told this is a blast, and honestly surprising; it is not what I anticipated when I first sat down. I'm glad for that, however, and ultimately it's even better than I might have hoped. In light of the places the writing goes one way or another this won't appeal to all comers, yet whether you're a fan of someone involved or just looking for something good, anyone open to all the wide possibilities of cinema are apt to have a good time here. Strange, creative, wicked, and entertaining, I'm happy to give 'Oyayubihime' my high recommendation!
