P-I-N-G-P-O-N-G

International cinema is always a gamble whenever one dares to view it, because one can never really predict what one will actually view. Most films come from such a different cultural frame of reference that conventional guessing as to ways of plot or pacing become useless. Ping Pong as a film from Japan exemplifies this.

The film was fun to watch in some places, but in others is terribly boring as it drags on with scenes of running, stair climbing, video game playing, or smoking. The main characters, two boys who are best friends, are polar opposites, which becomes difficult to bear during the movie. The reason for this difficulty is simple: one is interesting, fun, and vibrant, and acts so through his character, while the other invented the phrase "dull boy". Since the movie is close to two hours long, it becomes difficult, then, to watch the long scenes where the boring boy runs, hits ping pong balls, or ponders on why he is always so bored. In contrast, the other character, who grows through his crisis, is exciting because of his antics, particularly when he puts his cigarette out on someones face (ouch!).

The film is also an interesting view into Japanese entertainment. The main themes of mastery, hard work pays off, and one must have strong natural talent/not everyone can make it, are "stereotypes" of the Japanese comic/cartoon genre. The fact that this is a film adaptation of a semi-popular (semi because it has not made it to the U. S. yet) comic is painfully obvious, and at times the dialogue is sophomoric and melodramatic.

All that being said, it is fun to watch the ping pong, and the hours required to achieve a high level of play are demonstrated along with the product of such work. The actors all have a look of experienced technique, which is fun to watch from a technical standpoint.

So, all in all, if you like the sport Ping Pong, this movie is for you. If not, you'll be in for a long and rather boring 2 hours.