Crazed Fruit (1958) 5/5
This movie apparently caused quite a commotion when it was released, and watching it in the context of the times, I can see why. Still, nothing I had read could really prepare me for it, and so... the less I say about specifics the better.
The whole movie takes place during a summer vacation at the lake. Rich spoiled Yûjirô Ishihara (Red Pier) as the older brother Natsu, and Masahiko Tsugawa (Summer Storm) as the younger brother Haru, who both fall in love with the pretty Eri, played by Mie Kitahara. I almost didn't recognize her, as she's bubbly yet mysterious here compared to Red Pier where she was reserved, quiet and demure.
Frank played by Masumi Okada (Jiro's younger brother in Red Pier) plays a parent neglected rich kid who sees girls as interchangeable, when Eiko Higashitani (Michiko) after spending the night is told, "I'll see you around sometime", she smacks him as he answers a phone call, and when questioned about it he says, "Oh that was Michiko. She was just leaving."
The sexual innuendo is pretty straight forward...When their father comes to visit, Haru goes to find his brother at a friends house and a woman in a nightgown starts to flirt with him. His brother interrupts and as they leave he tells him, "She slept in 'cause we all took turns wearing her out last night."
Or my favorite line: "Did you get a look at that body? Those ain't falsies."
It's a movie of first loves, lost loves, rebellious youth, infidelity, promiscuity, cultural divides, betrayal... oh man, honestly, after watching so much pinky violence and then crime noir movies, I thought this would bore me, but.... I got into it. And got further into it. And... well I'm not going to say anymore. I can see why it's a classic of Japanese Cinema.
Director Kô Nakahira, who would also direct 'Summer Storm' released that same year, would primarily be remembered for these first two movies of his, though his 1971 film 'Yami no naka no chimimoryo' (A Soul to Devil) was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival (according to wikipedia).
I watched the Criterion Collection version of this movie and it includes a commentary track from the late Japanese historian Donald Richie, which I'll update once I watch it. Yeah... I'm going to watch it again!