Senteur As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

CountZero313 Waterboys opens with a laugh-out-loud visual gag, and pretty much doesn't let up from then on in. The story is that the high school swim team is all but defunct, perennial loser Suzuki being the last remaining member. When a hot young female teacher arrives and takes charge, the membership swells, only to recede again when she reveals her plans to have them become synchronized swimmers. The remaining five pupils are already battling against the odds when their new-found mentor leaves them in the lurch.So far, so formulaic, but all this happens in the first two minutes and then Yaguchi lets his characters run the story. Tsumabaki does well as the encumbered team captain, his relationship with a ditsy girlfriend adding light romantic interest. Takenaka Naoto reprises his Shall We Dance OTT routine to great effect as the team's cynical trainer. But this is an ensemble piece, the laughs coming from the direction and choreography as much as the performances. One disastrous training session exceeds funny to become hilarious through the judicious decision to shoot it in slow motion.The film is quick-paced, and best of all it never takes itself too seriously. Tone-wise, think The Full Monty without the sentimental bits. Suzuki and Hirayama hardly hold hands, never mind kiss, but he needs somebody to react to his triumph at the end.In short, a very funny film with an uplifting swimfest sequence at the end.

lulamorashi I watched this movie in my year 11 (tenth grade) Japanese class, and we found it absolutely fantastic. Of course, like many "sillier" comedies it made absolutely no sense in some parts (e.g. The swimming teacher: "It turns out I'm eight months pregnant! I thought I was just gaining weight!" I'm glad there is no dubbed version as that would have killed it completely. It is very crazy and much of the comedy comes from sheer silliness or slapstick- acting not so good but this is more or less disregarded and often adds to the comedy.If you're looking for Friday night fun with boys with killer Dance Dance Revolution moves and a run like Napoleon Dynamite, this is your movie.

japhearttok "Waterboys" is the featured film on the opening night in this year's Eiga Sai in Manila. I didn't anticipate I would be laughing my toxins out. It's a hilarious movie. I thought I'd never laugh so hard again after watching a Charlie Chaplin movie years back. This Japanese film is incredibly and enjoyably funny. It totally amazes me how the Japanese are able to evoke the whole range of emotions in their audience, i.e., laughter in comedy films, profound sadness in drama. (I still haven't gotten over the heartache from watching "Grave of the Fireflies".) "Waterboys" has a very simple plot. It would have been banal and jejune in the hands of an ordinary storyteller. The storytelling technique was effortless, but the use of slow motion matched with a perfect comedic timing produced a remarkably hilarious film. To be able to make people laugh from one's belly and in so many continuous fractions of a minute is a gift. "Waterboys" cast and crew are gifted. I've never cracked up so hard in my whole life. The adrenalin kick from watching it is yet to subside. One disadvantage: I don't know if any Hollywood comedy films can ever make me laugh again.

Havan_IronOak Five adorable and well-meaning misfits at a Japanese high school try to organize a synchronized swimming team, but their early efforts at a routine end in disaster. They persevere, and with the help of a Dolphin Trainer from the local aquarium they eventually get it right and earn the respect of their peers.