I've managed to see my Masumura films all in the wrong order starting with the mesmerising and transgressive treat, 'Blind beast', then the very tough, 'Red angel' and the beautiful, 'Manji', I come to this his very first film. And what a charming, fresh and invigorating movie it is. The comparisons with the, then still to come, French New Wave, are certainly understandable and if this does not have the clear stylish stamp of a Godard, it mixes arty, almost abstract long shots with exciting hand held efforts. The minimal story does not get in the way of the central young couple, who are persuasive in their roles and at times almost enchanting. We get glimpses of what might be a distinctly low-rise and makeshift Tokyo and certainly scenes shot at the seaside resort of Enoshima in what looks like it might have been it's heyday. Most enjoyable and I must now go see whether young Hitomi Nozoe went on to have the sort of cinema career she seemed destined for after this stunning performance.
