Aoi Haru is a brilliant movie.

 

As I was making the post on Boys On The Run and upon seeing Ryuhei Matsuda, I was overcome with the urge to watch a classic movie again. It was another live-action movie adaptation released all the way back in 2001 and a movie that still holds up to the passage of time. Based on the manga by mangaka Taiyo Matsumoto and directed by Toshiaki Toyoda, I am of course referring to Aoi Haru. 

Aoi Haru tells the tale of a group of students studying at Asashi High, a run down high school that is run by whoever wins the Clapping Game. The Clapping Game is a test of courage in which students stand on the railing at the edge of the rooftop and see who can clap the most times without succumbing to fear. The winner is then known as the ruler of the school and everyone else obeys them or at least acknowledges them as leader. Kujo, Aoki, Yukio, Yoshimura and Ota are a group of friends who are dissatisfied and in a state of apathy. Even the teachers have pretty much given up on them. Kujo wins a round of the Clapping Game and becomes the leader of the school, but doesn't really want to lead. His best friend Aoki, wanted Kujo to rule the school through asserting dominance and using violence on fellow students. Kujo's refusal to do what Aoki wished, combined with the incresing lack of respect that he was receiving, causes Aoki to challenge Kujo for the leadership. At the same time, the group of friends around them falls apart with the dup being the only ones left in the school. 

Aoi Haru's setting, Asashi High, gives Suzuran a run for it's money in terms of just how shockingly bad the school and its facilities are. Entire floors are filled with graffiti from top to bottom, a lot of the toilets don't function and some even only have the floor urinals that are quite poor. The few teachers that we get to see have next to no control at all, failing to keep students from falling asleep during class, getting various objects thrown at them and never seeming to stop violence. There's no way that such a school could exist in real life without being shut down, but it does make for an entertaining setting in a movie or drama series. 

What I love about Aoi Haru is that despite the unrealistic setting, the themes it touches on are very relatable and real. The main group of students that it focuses on have next to no prospects, most have no aspirations, ambitions nor clue as to what they want to do upon graduation. They feel alienated, isolated and struggle to cope with the weight of societal expectations when they aren't ready for what lays ahead. It perfectly encapsulates the struggles of youth as they're about to be tossed into the deep end of adulthood with no real guidance nor help to turn to. The name of the movie also is perfect, Aoi Haru or Blue Spring is often used in Japanese culture to refer to the springtime of life, youth. It is a rather ironic title according to Taiyo Matsumoto as the characters are all struggling unlike the clear imagery of a blue spring sky. 

I firmly believe that Toshiaki Toyoda would have been a major director in high demand had he not been arrested on drug charges back in 2005. Before his arrest, he was on a role with back to back great movies. Aoi Haru was one of those movies. His direction was brilliant, making use of a wide variety of camera techniques and traditional methods to bring the movie to life. His wide array of shot types was nothing to sniff at either, with close-up reaction shots, reverse shots, mid range shots, wide angle shots pov style shots, moving and static shots being used to tremendous effect. There was also the incorporation of slow-motion in more than one instance and in combination with editing techniques such as jump cuts and fades, really made the movie quite the pleasant viewing experience. My favourite shot in the movie is a rather poignant one, as the camera pans around a toilet stall covered in blood to reveal the aftermath of a brutal stabbing. It sounds so simple and yet looks so darn cool. 

Ryuhei Matsuda brought a cool, understated charisma to the role of Kujo. He just seemed super chill and arguably was the most morally grounded character from the main group. I loved his interactions with the teacher when they were watering the flowers together, especially the scene in which they talk about flowers blooming. Really good metaphor for what the students are going through and how the journey into adulthood can be. 

Opposite Ryuhei Matsuda was Hirofumi Arai. Arai, I thought did a fantastic job in the role of Aoki. He portrayed the characters slow unravelling into isolation and solitude with gusto. He had one of the most fascinating character arcs, perhaps tied with Yukio's and some of the symbolism is really quite heart-wrenching. 

Sousuke Takaoka was fascinating to watch as Yukio. Seeing his rapid descent and spiralling into almost nonchalant madness was a highlight of the movie. He was one of the students with no aspirations nor ambition and we see that when the school counsellor attempts to help him to no avail. He ends up taking drastic action against one of his friends of all people. Yukio has the best camera shots in the movie, looking effortlessly cool playing the guitar on the stairs or in a classroom whilst smoking. 

Overall, Aoi Haru is considered a classic for good reason. It focuses on themes that will always be relevant to society and is also just a really well made movie. It's not your typical delinquent movie and there are next to no fight scenes to be found, instead dealing with making viewers reflect on important issues and themes. The soundtrack is also great and truly fitting. Highly recommend it if you're into movies about growing up, especially ones that are quite bleak.