Kamikaze Girls

Wonderful, colourful and amusing tale of two young girls whose personalities clash in the country of culture clashes. Anna Tsuchiya who played the prostitute in Sakuran, here plays a cool and very crazy bike girl from a gang of 'yanki's' and the cutie doll faced, Kyoko Fukada plays the frilly dress wearer, reminiscent of the young girls on the bridge at Harajaku, Tokyo.

This non-stop extravaganza takes in teenage angst, the clash between the traditional and the western styles, the passion for costume, the need or not of friends and so much more. And all in such a bright and infectious manner. A joy for all.

This a well-done girls' coming-of-age tale, like a Japanese 21st-century Alice in Wonderland - one Lewis Carroll would probably have liked. And I presume whoever gave the Kamikaze Girls title to the American edition would have titled the Alice work Kamikaze Alice. The underlying themes are independent thinking, the value of friendship, and the need to pursue one's creative impulses while critically evaluating surrounding people and opportunities.

Most the adult figures in the film are - in one way or another - failures. Though seen in an exaggerated, humorous, or empathetic light, they serve as guideposts to the two girls who come to realize that salvation (or "sallvation" as Ichigo misspells it for emphasis) lies not in following the crowd, not in seeking leaders' approval, but in following one's own dreams - as much as they can be realized in this limited, 3-dimensional, mortal world.

Early in the film, I feared it was headed to be too sweet, especially with the main characters being Momoko (Peaches) and Ichigo (Strawberries). But this sweetness is quickly counterbalanced with the challenges and adventures they face.

This is a fun and very unique film, good for people of all ages. In ways, it's set in a society that seems closer to the U.S. of the 1950's - around the "beat" and the James Dean eras, when youth could be wild without police being called, and yet neighborhoods could leave front doors unlocked without fear and kids could even hitch-hike - an age of greater homogeneity when America had some cultural unity and - with exception of its black-white scar - was not afraid of itself.

I obtained this film, by the way, in VCD format (not the best, but adequate), I believe, from HKFlix. I couldn't find it anywhere in DVD format.

"Kamikaze Girls" is a Japanese film directed by Tetsuya Nakashima that follows the unlikely friendship between Momoko, a teenage girl with a passion for frilly Victorian-style clothing, and Ichigo, a rough-around-the-edges girl who rides a motorcycle and belongs to a biker gang. The film is a quirky and entertaining exploration of Japanese youth culture, and features strong performances from its two lead actresses.

One of the standout aspects of "Kamikaze Girls" is its unique and visually striking aesthetic. The film is a feast for the eyes, with elaborate costume design and a color palette that pops off the screen. Momoko's elaborate Victorian-style outfits are particularly memorable, and the contrast between her and Ichigo's more rough-and-tumble style adds to the film's visual appeal.

The film is also notable for its exploration of Japanese youth culture, particularly the subcultures of "Lolita" fashion and biker gangs. While the film is light-hearted and comedic in tone, it also touches on deeper themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of fitting in. The relationship between Momoko and Ichigo is at the heart of the film, and the two actresses have great chemistry, bringing a sense of warmth and authenticity to their characters.

Overall, "Kamikaze Girls" is a fun and entertaining film that is sure to appeal to fans of Japanese cinema and youth culture. Its unique aesthetic and strong performances make it a must-see for any film lover.

'Kamikaze Girls' is adapted from a comic book; it contains some short animated scenes, but in fact the entire movie is made in a comic-book style, even when it employs real actors, with exaggerated physics and characterisation. It's unlikely story pairs a girl who dresses in rococo outfits with a tough biker chick (the supporting cast includes a man with a four-foot quiff); for those who aren't Japanese, it may come as a shock to learn, however, that the boutique rococo retailer that features in the film is actually a piece of product placement - it really exists, and there's some popularity to this bizarre style of dress. The film zips along, and there are some nice humorous touches, although it never feels deeper than a comic. But the tone is right for the material - and it's infinitely preferable to countless Hollywood comic adaptations that futilely try to tell us there's something profound in the their stories.

The story is about a girl who goes to Tokyo to buy her Lolita clothes, and the moped gangster girl she very unwillingly befriends. This movie is funny cute and sexy. Laughed a ton, and then got misty eyed too. A great Thelma and Louise kinda female bonding movie. Haven't seem T&L though, so don't take my word for it. The camerawork and cinematography, wait, the entire storytelling is funky and pop, but it's such a good story. Glad to have caught the last showing. The climax is surreal. But so is everything else. it's a movie driven on fashion, but the plot is knit tightly :) And still I wouldn't care, these two girls are both incredible. Very hot, very hot. A classic for Japanese pop culture conoisseurs. A decent story for all others.