Silver
Spoon (Original Title: Gin no saji) | 2014 | 1h 51m
Genre:
Comedy / Drama / Romance
Country: Japan
Director: Keisuke Yoshida
Writer: Hiromu Arakawa
Starring: Kento Nakajima, Alice Hirose, Tomohiro Ichikawa
IMDb: 6.6
My Rating: 7/10
Hachiken
feels like a failure compared to the other students around him, so he decides
to escape the pressure by attending an agricultural school far from home and
choosing a field of study that is not considered prestigious. However, life at
an agricultural school turns out to be far more difficult than he imagined, and
the decision that was meant to be an escape instead leads him to a series of
new experiences.
Content Warning
None.
Synopsis
Hachiken
comes from a middle school known for its high-achieving students.
Unfortunately, he feels like a failure and constantly compares himself to the
other students. Because of this, Hachiken chooses to continue his education at
Ooejo Agricultural High School, located quite far from his home.
His
decision disappoints his parents, especially his father, who believes that
Hachiken's choice is simply an escape from his failures. And, in a way, that is
exactly what it is. Hachiken wants to escape from the pressure he has been
carrying, without realizing that life at his new school will not be as easy as
he imagined.
Most
of his classmates come from families who already own farms and have been
prepared to inherit and continue those businesses. They attend the school to
learn skills that will eventually be used in the lives and careers waiting for
them. Hachiken, on the other hand, does not even know what he wants to do with
his life. This difference gradually gives him a new perspective on life,
purpose, and the choices he needs to make.
Will
Hachiken find the meaning of life he has been searching for through his escape?
Review
People
are often judged according to certain standards such as success, intelligence,
and achievement. This is what Hachiken experiences in Silver Spoon
(2014), a film adapted from Hiromu Arakawa's manga Gin no Saji (Silver
Spoon). With a premise that feels close to everyday life, the film explores
the burden of expectations that children often have to carry from their
families.
The
film opens at Ooejo Agricultural High School, bustling with students discussing
various subjects related to agriculture. The scene immediately establishes both
the setting and the environment that will become the protagonist's new world.
One by one, the supporting characters are then introduced, each with enough
background information to give us a picture of the community Hachiken has
entered.
Hachiken's
own background is revealed through flashbacks that show the difficulties he has
faced. A highly competitive school, pressure from his family, and expectations
that gradually collapse provide a solid enough foundation for understanding why
Hachiken chooses to leave and search for somewhere new.
Both
internal and external conflicts are fairly clear. However, there is no truly
major conflict that leaves a deep impression. Even Hachiken's internal
conflict, which should be an important part of his journey, feels rather weak.
As a result, his life seems to progress too smoothly compared with the
emotional burden he was supposed to be carrying from the beginning.
Hachiken,
who has never had any experience with farming or livestock, should naturally
have a significant knowledge gap. The film does show this through the way he
views the farm animals, while the audience is repeatedly reminded through
dialogue that these animals will eventually become food. We see this through
the prohibition against giving them names, treating them as special, and
various explanations about how they are eventually processed into meat.
However,
this repetition instead feels like an attempt to create an internal conflict
that never really develops strongly. Hachiken seems to accept the situation
rather easily, while his conflict with his family is also not given enough room
to develop. His conflicts with his friends likewise tend to be resolved too
easily before they can become serious problems.
These
elements actually have considerable potential to become some of the film's
strongest selling points. Hachiken's relationship with his family, his process
of adapting to a place he never wanted to be in the first place, and the way he
gradually discovers a direction in life while on this escape are all aspects
that could have been explored more deeply. Unfortunately, that potential is not
fully utilized.
On
the other hand, the conflicts faced by supporting characters such as Aki and
Ichiro feel much stronger. They have to confront the reality of becoming
successors to their family farms, preserve what has already been built, and
decide whether to fulfill their family's expectations or pursue their own
desires. These struggles make their character journeys feel more grounded and
believable.
The
ending is handled fairly well. Each character experiences some form of
development and receives their own resolution. Hachiken also gradually steps
out from the shadow of his failures through various achievements and the impact
he has on the people around him. However, once again, there is nothing that
truly feels like a major achievement for Hachiken himself. Compared with
several other characters, his journey still feels somewhat underdeveloped.
It
cannot be denied that adapting a series or manga into a film comes with its own
challenges. With limited running time, the filmmakers have to decide which
parts should become the main focus and which ones need to be reduced. In my
opinion, this is one of the film's biggest weaknesses. Too many story
possibilities are introduced, but not all of them are given enough room to
develop.
Nevertheless,
the film still offers many things to learn, especially about life. The
assumption that being an heir will always be more comfortable than being a
pioneer is challenged through the lives of the students who come from farming
families. Maintaining what has been passed down to them also requires effort,
responsibility, and considerable pressure.
The
audience also gains new knowledge about the lives of farm animals. We see how
they are cared for, how they eventually become food, and various other aspects
that may not be easy to encounter in everyday life. This knowledge becomes an
added value because the film does not simply tell a story; it also introduces a
world that may have previously felt unfamiliar to its audience.
The
acting and interactions between the cast feel natural. The camera movement,
detailed shots, and color composition also work well in supporting the
atmosphere of the story. The music is appropriately matched to each scene
without ever feeling excessive.
Ultimately,
Silver Spoon managed to exceed my expectations before watching it. A
film that initially seemed like something that might be boring turned out to
have its own appeal through its farming setting, diverse characters, and the
various life lessons woven into the story. Although Hachiken's journey as the
protagonist still feels somewhat underexplored, the film remains a light and
enjoyable choice for a weekend watch.
Memorable Scene
A
silver spoon is displayed above the entrance to the school cafeteria. When
Hachiken sees the principal cleaning it, he gathers the courage to ask what it
means. There is an idiom that says someone born with a silver spoon will have a
good life. And that is exactly what the principal hopes for his students.
A golden
spoon or silver spoon is often used as an expression for someone
born into a wealthy family. Being born with privilege can certainly provide
many advantages in life. But does being born into a wealthy family
automatically guarantee someone a good future? Not necessarily. Family
circumstances may give someone a different starting point, but the way they
live their life, make decisions, and deal with different circumstances will
also determine where their life ultimately leads.
Memorable Quote
"It's okay to run away to live."
Ending
Happy
Ending
Recommendation
Worth
Watching
 Review: Finding Purpose Beyond Family Expectations){kind=link}
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