Bounce Ko Gals

BOUNCE GO-KALS is one of the best drama I've seen out of Japan. It's not a slow-moving Japanese film, but it's just slow enough, and just fast enough (although the movie is well over 2 hours) to keep you interested and at the same time, emotionally invested. A terrific film that exposes Japanese society for its hypocricy, while even delving into the past of the country. But in the end, it's a movie about hope and a future that, although it may look dark, has a silver lining.

For more excellent movies by the director, check out KAMIKAZE TAXI and CHOICE OF HERCULES, two very good dramas from a man with his pulse on what makes Japan so fascinating.

10 out of 10

(Go to http://www.nixflix.com for a more in-depth review of this movie and other foreign films)

The journey of 3 japanese girls within a merciless city. This movie has been said to be shot in a documentary style, but do not be afraid : I don't really think so. Harada proves (once more) that he's one of the directors which makes Japan the most exciting, interesting country in the movie industry. "Bounce ko-gals" deals with an exciting trip of desperate cuties. It shows the dark side of japanese girlie way of life : they have to make (soft)porns and spend some time with old dudes to survive. But can they expect something else ? The only way out seems to move overseas. One of them will try to catch a flight. Funny, electric, desperate, light, dark. This one is a must-see.

The video I rented made the film appear to be a goofy "pink" film but this film is much better than that. It's sort of a japanese cross between "Kids" and "Midnight Cowboy". The relationships between the girls and the way they deal with life is really fascinating. Also interesting is the whole examination of the dynamic between "Kogals" ("high"-gals as in High school) and Hentai ("perverts"). It's shot in "verite" style and at times almost has the look of a documentary.

With the rise of OnlyFans in the West, this movie has renewed modern relevance. It's a film about generational conflict between teenagers and adults and the conflict between perverted middle-age men with money and materialistic teenage schoolgirls selling their body for designer clothes. The movie itself is longer than necessary and meandering at times. The movie covers an interesting topic and has a decent message but the story itself is simple and events in the movie become repetitive. You do get a decent aesthetic feel of Tokyo during the 90s. It's worth watching if it sounds interesting but not a must-watch movie.

Baunsu Kogals or Bouncing Young Girls is a very good movie about 3 girls, their friendship and their life in the world of prostitution (Kogals, they call them). Sort of a Japanese version of "Kids", but more likely to be taken seriously. It follows the ennui that these girls and their peers/other youth feel in Japan. An important point scored in the film is when Jonko and Raku ask why does Lisa want to go to New York to study, she says she wants to be in NY because when you live in the US, there's is a feeling of a "can-do" attitude that pervades the culture, which would motivate her to be a better student in Japan and also get her independence.