Louder!: Can't Hear What You're Singin', Wimp (2018)

OTT in a good way

The premise is completely absurd and the writing is barely functioning connect-the-dots to reach the visual moments that the writer/director Miki Satoshi wanted to achieve. But those visuals are worth it, and the direction is lively, inventive and original.

It is a comedy, and, as ever, YMMV, but there were several bits that genuinely made me laugh. Expect the kind of humor and set pieces as a Stephen Chow film though we can argue about whether Miki is as successful at executing them.

It is a story of Sin ... who in this case is the mysterious lead singer of a heavy metal band who has been injecting illicit drugs directly into his vocal cords to achieve the volume and range that the music demands, and it is immediately clear that his throat cannot take much more of the abuse. Abe Sadawo nails the stage presence and has a fine comedic turn in the role as an artist who knows his career is almost done and is looking to pass the torch.

The singer he chances upon in a midnight scooter rampaging meet-cute is Fuuka (Yoshioko Riho) who is talented, but whose issues prevent her from singing barely above a whisper.

The film is not really a musical. There are only two songs (or three, if you count Shubert's Ave Maria). But, surprisingly, it is kind of a romcom with most of the expected story beats seen through a broken kaleidoscope.

Will the couple kiss? Will Fuuka sing out loud? Will Sin be redeemed? Watch the movie and find out.

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