Teen Angst in the 50's - Crazed Fruit

This was a controversial film when it was released in 1956 in Japan. It was one of the first films to portray the postwar generation as pleasure seeking, violent and corrupt youths who went against tradition and their elders. It's a story of two brothers, Natsuhisa and his younger brother Haruji, who are spending a summer vacation at a seaside town. They meet and eventually fall in love with the same woman, Eri, who, is married to an American businessman who is barely home. Eri is about the same age as Natsuhisa; the marriage superficial, at least in her eyes. Haruji is the one who dates Eri first; after being teased about not having a date to bring to the parties that his older brother and his delinquent buddies have. Bringing Eri to a party makes the others jealous; however his brother is so taken by her that he decides to see her as well; and a sibling rivalry develops. Eri enjoys Natsuhisa and his taken by his good looks and "dangerous" rebel attitude, however, her heart belongs to Haruji. The resolution is violent and tragic as Natsuhisa tries to run away with Eri (who was waiting for Haruji), and Haruji follows, blind with rage. A seemingly swift 86 minute movie, Crazed Fruit portrays a postwar Japan that while not showing the physical scars of war, shows all the mental unease and turmoil of a younger generations' anger toward their loser elders; a slacker attitude towards life, one of self indulgence. Natsuhiha was played by Yujiro Ishihara, the James Dean of Japan. The movie is similar in theme to Blackboard Jungle and Rebel Without a Cause in terms of teen angst and rebellion, but I feel Crazed Fruit has a better story with a lot more dimension, cultural and historical, than the Hollywood films, which seem almost quaint. Criterion does their usual masterful job of restoration, a beautiful black and white print, with commentary by Donald Richie. Highly recommended.