Why is “The W's Tragedy” transcending the boundaries between actors and roles and being passed down as the ultimate idol movie?

The moment you say goodbye to your idol self

When you watch ``The W's Tragedy'' while overlapping this independence from Kadokawa, you can once again experience the turning point of an actress.

The main character, Shizuka Mita, is a research student at a theater troupe and gets a small role in the troupe's performance ``The W's Tragedy''. When Sho Hatori, the troupe's leading actress and the lead role in the same work, dies of his mistress during a performance in Osaka, Shizuka becomes her substitute, and in return, plays an important role in ``The W's Tragedy''. You will be given a role. Despite opposition from the director and co-stars, the great actress Sho's suggestion cannot be resisted.

This is a story of an actress who takes advantage of a scandal and makes a Trading Places, reminiscent of films such as the classic film ``All About Eve .'' It must have taken great preparation for Yakushimaru to portray Shizuka's complex changes of state of mind, such as her pure face, the suffering of being caught up in a sudden and dramatic fate, and her hidden ambitions. Anxiety and fear as an actor when performing a role. It's obvious when you watch ``The W's Tragedy'' that this overlaps perfectly with the experience of the character Shizuka.

When she overcame the scandal and played a major role for the first time, Shizuka was given the final curtain call, which was originally supposed to be performed by the great actress Sho Hatori, saying, ``It's just for tonight.'' Shizuka's expression of indescribable emotion as she responds to the loud applause from the packed venue with open arms is synchronized with Hiroko Yakushimaru's joy at completing this difficult role, and it makes my heart tremble. I can't do it.

In the subsequent scene, Shizuka comes down the stairs from the back door of the theater, but these stairs are the back stairs of the former Tokyo Takarazuka Theater (the ticket office was the Imperial Theater used in filming). Speaking of Takarazuka Theater, it is famous for the production in which the male and female actors descend down a grand staircase, and it was the perfect shooting location for Shizuka's ``stairway'' to becoming a great actress.

In addition to the stage play, ``The W's Tragedy,'' which also depicts a love affair with Moriguchi, a real estate agent played by Kiminori Sera, will also have another curtain call. Shizuka was overcome with emotion on stage, but her expression during the other bow was quite complicated. This scene is also deeply moving, as you can feel the mix of emotions. Hiroko Yakushimaru, who became independent after finishing ``The W's Tragedy'', can be interpreted as expressing her feelings towards Haruki Kadokawa, who helped her become the actress she is.

Along with Yoshiko Mita, whose famous performance as the great actress Sho Hatori is still talked about today, Hiroko Yakushimaru received many film awards or nominations for ``The W's Tragedy''. If you watch it again now, you will be able to feel her strong determination to say goodbye to being an idol actress in the entire movie.

Text: Hiroaki Saito

Became freelance in 1997, contributing movie reviews and interview articles to various media such as movie magazines, theater pamphlets, and movie sites. The column is constantly updated on Yahoo! News. Star Channel's program "GO! Theater" introduces the latest released works.

Watch now

View work information

“The Tragedy of W Kadokawa Movie THE BEST”

Price ¥1,800+tax

Publisher/distributor: KADOKAWA Co., Ltd.

(C) KADOKAWA 1984