Review of Cruel Story of Youth (1960) by A B — 22 Dec 2007

This is kind of unique perspective, an early cinematic look at the lives of Japanese young people in 1960. Clearly this is a new era, less than a decade earlier we had Seven Samurai, now this "Rebel Without A Cause" cousin is made and really doesn't shy away from anything.

I liked all the bright colors of the streets and the costumes, but I didn't really empathize with any of the characters, even in the end. The girl Makoto is just dumb. Kiyoshi is more dynamic, I liked him.

But the entire movie Makoto gets assaulted and yet doesn't seem to mind. I guess I was more interested in the scenery and time period. The scene where Kiyoshi eats the apple in the abortion clinic is a weirdly biblical allusion--they give in to lust just to try to rebel against society.

Some cool jazz music, though. Oddly (or not) American.