I've just recently seen Millennium Actress. My thoughts on it are below. I don't really give anything away, but if you're really picky don't read my little review/reflection thing before watching it yourself :)


It's been a while since I've had the chance to enjoy a really good anime, and Millennium Actress was a real treat. I wouldn't know where to classify this film in the Genre list. It's definately a drama, an adventure, but it's comedic and romantic as well.

Millennium Actress is about an older woman, Chiyoko, who was an actress in her youth. So, why did I like this movie? Chiyoko starred in a variety of period pieces, fleshed out several dramatic roles, adventure after adventure. And yet... all of these characters she has played pale somewhat in comparison to the events of her own life - her personal adventure. Focusing on the memories of an actress, and her life - her character created a myriad of themes to be reflected upon.

The film doesn't have what I'd call a "normal" flow. The bounds of reality are often stretched, but it's this stretching that really makes it exciting and thought provoking. The flow really allows for a lot of the symbolism, humor, and just the whole thing to work. If you've seen the movie, then you'll understand what I'm talking about. The dynamic delivery really impressed me, so I won't spoil it. Additionally, the music is also very moving & manages to accent the film and evoke emotion in all the right moments.

If you didn't know this film was available in the US, that's probably because it was released by Dreamworks ^^. Nonetheless, the DVD is available, and I highly recommend it. I give it the full 4 stars **** ^_^

can we rent it at any blockbuster Crystal? :huh:

Well, this site has a 2 minute preview :)

http://www.dan42.com/millennium.actress/download.php

The trailer on the site doesn't work, but the ending theme does. Give it a try :) I really enjoy it, but I think it gains some power after seeing the film.

I'll go check to see if Blockbuster has it... I got it from my library (I LOVE my library ^^) after a friend recommended it to me.

Well, I checked blockbuster's site & they didn't have it listed. Hollywood Video has it listed (do you have that near you?) It's probably better to call the store before you go to see if they have it.

I love the music in this movie :)

You can preview some of it here:

http://www.s-hirasawa.com/teslakite/1000nen/e/

But finding a translation for Rotation was rather difficult, so I want to share it here.

Rotation (Lotus-2)
The golden moons
In the dewdrops in the weeds
Refracted a million times.
Billions of nights
In the nets of your dreams
Yet you are in chains,
Captive of this one night.

You millions of moons,
It's time right now to call up the parallel mornings.
Let this prisoner run!
You ships of the mornings,
Go load up the lists of the days.
Bring the traveller! Come!
Enter the myriad times.

Metamorphic cloud
Multiplies in random transformation,
A metaphor for birth.
Your birthdays expand,
Rhyming the infinite possibilities,
This universe rhymes.
Your moment!
Unexplainable in a thousand years.
Echoing!
Echoing to all the moons.

Bloom, you lotuses
Reflecting Your Every Universe one after another
Like the reincarnation.
Bloom, you lotuses
Releasing the echoes of a thousand years
In every second.

The far past,
The far present and even tomorrow will be here
Right now, every golden day.
Remember the gold
Which indwells in you,
Release billions of glorious nights!

Like the stars
Scattered across the sky,
You, Your Every Universe, recorded
In every single flower sprinkled over this field.

Bloom, you lotuses
Reflecting Your Every Universe one after another
Like the reincarnation.
Bloom, you lotuses
Releasing the echoes of a thousand years
In every second.

Credit: http://www.s-hirasawa.com/teslakite/1000nen/e/lyrics.htm