One of the Sweetest, Coming of Age films you have never seen *Spoilers"

*Spoilers Ahead*

A wonderful, funny and touching film. I do love these delicate and enclosed type films, just characters talking and no big plot twists. Just a simple tale told with a ton of heart. Sorry in advance for the long write up.

The stand outs are definitely Tsumiki Miho as Sugiyama Noriko and Nakajima Hiroko as Shimizu Yuko. Miho probably get's the nod, she only appears half way through but leaves her mark, kind of like a female James Dean. A rebel but a lovelorn one. Hiroko probably has the standout character, the club leader who is loyal to her group but is of big of heart. No wonder both actresses won awards for their performances, sadly neither went on to have much success after which is a shame.Also like the performances from the actress who played Kurata and the stage manager. Heart breaking none of the cast went on to bigger things cause all of them are fantastic.

The biggest plus it gets for me is the way it dealt with the romantic sub plot, it was one of the sweetest things I've seen put to screen. For back in 1990 it must have been rare to see a film not make a big deal out of two teenage girls been in love . Watching it back now, I love the little looks and gestures you see between them, Shimizu at the beginning trying to make sure Kurata's dress is perfect, you'd think it was her wanting to be lead for a good portion of the film. Kurata been jealous of Shimizu been with Sugiyama on the roof. The scene with Shimizu trying to fix a nervous Kurata's costume in the classroom, and the scene when they take a picture together, if those scenes don't melt you're heart then you must not have one. For anyone watching expecting girl on girl make out scenes you won't get it here, this was made in 1990. So you get glances and hand holding, but it works perfectly nonetheless.


Another nice touch was Sugiyama feelings for Shumizu, what's sad in a way she be as perfect fit for Shimizu but she was late to her heart and Sugiyama probably knows it too. I love that she's the only one who knows it's Shumizu's birthday, even Kurata doesn't know. Thought that was a nice touch. My favourite scenes are the Shumizu/Sugiyama scenes, you can tell if Kurata wasn't around these two could have had something. You can't help but feel for Sugiyama at the end.


I think the film's strong point is it's school only setting. That you are spending all the time with the group of girls. I also like that they all get along, no clique's or any of them in conflict with each other. Love the music from this as well, it just makes you feel so warm all over. A utterly charming and fantastic film.

Also anyone interested, the writer of the Manga Akimi Yoshida, has another of her manga's adapted into a film called Our Little Sister, and it's every bit as awesome as The Cherry Orchard. Well worth checking out if you can.

Someone uploaded to YouTube, go check it out. It's a sweet and tender film and it's one of those films you wish was longer.