Bôizu on za ran

Having watched films like American Pie (1999) and the 40 Year Old Virgin (2005), we have all been exposed time and time again to the ridiculous experiences of the modern day 'man-child' and his struggle with sexuality in the 21st Century. Much like these films, Daisuke Miura's Boys on the Run (2010) can be seen as a sex comedy of sorts as it makes for painfully humorous viewing with its layers of 'hands over your eyes' moments and excruciating dialogue. What sets this film apart is that there is a degree of honesty about it that establishes unique empathy for its farcical protagonist in a way that its American counterparts do not.

Tanishi (Kazunobu Mineta) is a 29 year old male who is stuck in a dead end job refilling vending machines with novelty items. He has an unhealthy obsession with sex; an obsession so perverse that at one point during the movie he fantasises about his mothers' breasts! However Tanishi's sexual frustrations and fantasies quickly become something more sincere and meaningful as we see him fall for a work colleague Chiharu (Mei Kurokawa). Of course, he doesn't make anything easy on himself and is quickly caught with his pants down, quite literally! From here on, chaos descends as Tanishi fights for Chiharu's love.

Upon viewing Miura's debut film, the straightforward approach he has built his reputation on is evident and apparent immediately: his low key and simplistic style of shooting the film places little emphasis on perfection giving it a gritty rawness that reflects the ambiguity of young manhood. Such imperfection leaves plenty of space for a contest between maturity and immaturity to take place as the plot unfolds whilst allowing the emotional elements of the film to permeate the narrative deeply and work in contrast to the ludicrous behaviour of Tanishi. Such a fine balance as this gives licence to a crazy tale of young manhood and even warms our hearts in the process.

The combination of a fresh approach by the films director and the inclusion of a relative newcomer to Japanese cinema in Kazunobu Mineta gives Boys on the Run an air of originality, at least as far as comedies go anyway. However, it isn't totally unique as moments of it are reminiscent of the sweet awkwardness found in Napoleon Dynamite (2004) and the bawdy behaviour of the characters in films like Superbad (2007) and Knocked Up (2007). Further to this, the film does have the potential to fail due to Mineta's obvious lack of acting experience. Thankfully however, his role is bolstered by the strong performances of established Japanese actors Mei Kurokawa (Nekonade [2008], Way of Blue Sky [2005]) and Ryuhei Matsuda (Gohatto [1999], Blue Spring [2001]).

To summarise, Boys on the Run is a torturous sex comedy full of all the usual moments of unbearable viewing that you expect from such a film, yet it is a film that still manages to explore the intensity and pain of infatuation and love on a very sincere level. Boys on the Run is uncomfortable, definitely emotional and absolutely obnoxious, and it's and it's the film's oxymoronic tone that makes it so worth a watch.

The original review can be found at:

http://www.cine-vue.com/2010/10/raindance-film-festival-2010-boys- on.html

Russell Cook

--I decided to write a review of this movie to balance some other points of views; since it seems that many still do not understand what the cinema is all about (and even less indie one) and are adapted to Hollywood patterns or mainstream cinema. A commentary says he/she did not like the way the movie ended! and I guess what he/she expected ... By the way, the end is correct. It seems not to have understood the title either: "Boys on the run"; hence the story line of the film. The plot of the film clearly shows that most men do not really have much chance to say NO to the few opportunities you have with women. Instead women do have this opportunity and is well demonstrated here. And as always, "wins" which looks better, has more money; power or possibilities.

'As for the movie, the main character is a bit simple but with a raw inner fire plus he is in love; in love with a co-worker; she initially liked him but once she saw she had other chances, leaved all the prejudices apart and went from wanting to be "a girlfriend" to laid down with everyone (after to be discarded by other guy..) Then this foxy lady betrayed many times, him and to the company where she worked.

The acting is fine and the film is not too long like they say in some reviews. It is Worth watching.

This film, based on a Manga, is a truly bizarre comedy about a twenty year old man Tanishi (Kazunobo Mineta) who delivers novelty toys to shops in Akihabara in Tokyo. Rather than be in a serious relationship, he both pleasures himself and turns to prostitutes. At his job, Chiharu (Mei Kurokawa) shows a unrealistic interest in him and they go out. Before that, he mistakenly gives her a DVD of beastiality porn to watch. They go out and end up in a love hotel, but don't consummate the relationship. The next thing that happens is he ends up caught in the closet of Chiharu's next door neighbor Shijo. He tries to explain at a wedding reception (by saying it in a microphone), but she hates him now. He "lends" her to Aoyama, who works for a rival novelty company. Othedr things happen, but this film, a dark sex comedy, just didn't justify my watching it. Its almost impossible to like anyone in this film, everyone is so self-centered and/or arrogant. If this is the point, I did get it, but the film is too long at 114 minutes and the comedy in it, along with being unabashedly vulgar, is creepy. I wanted to like this, but instead feel I can't recommend it, since I didn't like anyone in the film. Noce try, I suppose, but its just not worth your time.

One of my favorite j dramas, btw the drama is longer and better. I'm not gonna get into the plot you can read that for your self and all but let me say right off the bat the story really makes you feel for the guy, literally almost nothing goes right for him but if you have been considered "odd" by societies standards or if you don't have much confidence when talking to girls or anything like that then you will 100% be able to relate to this, I love these kinds of dramas, they are obscure, but for regular people since they don't understand or relate to anything the main character is going through, if you are looking for another good drama and film very similar to this look up moteki on the double thats my second favorite j drama ever.