The Kirishima Thing (2012)

If there are only two super-wonderkid movies (those coming-of-age shows that accomplish technical-wise and impact-wise feats), this show must be either in the first or second spot. The other one, I guess...Battle Royale? Cut the crap, gotta begin the review.

I see why this movie is rated so badly in international fandom. Fans and even critics alike ripped this drama apart for its very unorthodox approach to the story and characters. And it IS really different to other shows at the same traits. Well, the makers of the movie actually took risky path anyone has refused to do, while it can be done in more mainstream way but it didn't. Yet, it appears to be very successful in terms of technical merit and the fact it won prestigious awards proves that this show is actually irrefutably good.

If you had watched Vantage Point or any kinda shows like that, you will easily notice that both shows do a number of point of views. In Kirishima Bukatsu Yameteruyo, they are a movie geek, a girl who can't make her mind, Kirishima's best friend, timid girl, bitchy girl, etc. The title-mentioned Kirishima itself disappears and practically never shows up. It is the aforementioned characters with their own point of views who are affected and exhibit subsequent changes due to the disappearance. Yes the plot is actually pretty straight without shocking twists, but if you watch in-depth, down to the character's gestures, you'll find revelations after revelations that even if they do not give you a very clear picture of the ending, you will know what would happen next.

It should be noted that the character developments are the main point of this movie and they are handled in masterful manner. I personally think the directing is a masterclass and so is the acting. What makes me surprised is, aside of some well-known former child actors like Kamiki and Suzuka Ohgo as well as acting prodigy Ai Hashimoto, most of the casts are no-name young actors, some even just begin their acting careers. The acting level in the movie is so even but very good, not a single actor displays stark stand-out or being weak spot. If I could name a single actor who plays the best, perhaps it's Higashide (the big guy) and I surprised because this lad is already 24-25 years old at the time of the filming and he plays an 18 years old boy. Not only for that, he plays Hiroki who is Kirishima's best friend (hence he is the most influenced one) with depth and heart. This lad, as the rest of the young casts, has a very bright future in acting world.

BTW, the song played with the ending credit is incredible and passionate, as well as fits the movie very well. The back sound during the "brawl" is also deserves thumbs up.

This shows may not be for everyone and even I have to watch it 2 times to research the details and depth. But it's worth trying and watching and I declare this one as one of my all-time favorite.

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This movie is just awesome.
The story is not an outstanding one, without any action scene and a plot-twist. It is a brilliant coming-of-age movie and shows perfectly which impact the disappearance of a guy, named Kirishima, on people has, directly and implicitly. The character development was the center of the movie .

I like the cast , these are the most talented young actors I've seen over the last years, especially Kimiki Ryunosuke and Higashide Masahiro. These two stood out. Kimiki Ryunosuke did such an outstanding performance.
Higashide Masahiro did a wonderful job too. His character Hiroki was for me the personification of the movie, he had the biggest development, and the way how Masahiro portrayed this was distinguished . These two young actors have a bright future..
But the rest of the cast was awesome too.
I think it is the best cast in a high-school movie.

The music. I loved the music, the combination of classic music and "alternative"-music was just great. The credit-song "The Sun also Rises" by Takahashi Yu, is very beautiful and the musical interpretation of the movie,

It's not a movie which you can't watch it a second time because you will know what will happen.I think you have to watch the movie many times , it will help you to understand the meaning of the movie and you will discover every time something new .

Overall this movie is just a masterpiece in the Japanese movie industry. Many people don't like it, because it is a bit hard to understand and not everybody's favorite kind of movie.
Although the movie was put in a high school-setting, I think this movie is about life, about the changes in your life and what it means to grow up. Even if you're a adult you can relate to this. If you're having a hard time, this movie is a great help.
And another topic is the social hierarchy in school which is easily found in our society too.
Another reason why I love the movie was the ending scene , when everybody was on the roof. The ending was just awesome and one of the greatest scene I've ever seen.
Great cinematography, screenplay and editing. And the director was brilliant.
A True Masterpiece.

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