“Where will this road lead me if there is a dead end?” Understanding the world of teenagers is difficult. It is to them that the creators dedicated their film. Although I personally think his concept will be understood only by those who have lived through this time and are ready to move on. We all went through a period of first falling in love, all of us were once maximalists, dreaming of turning this world around, making something special in it. Only some dreamed of discoveries, good deeds, others were tired of the fact that others strive to become perfect. This is the main character of Sawa Nakamura. Her crippled mind and twisted inclinations are astounding, and how far she can go is shocking. Don’t expect the creators of Evil Flowers to answer all the questions. Director Noboru Iguchi does not even bother to reveal the source of that defeated mind and perversion, leaving the viewer to understand this mystery.
At first, it may seem that the film is clearly overexpressing. Students are either too cute and perfect, or complete scumbags among such “fucking bugs” (the expression of the main character, which she constantly abuses). However, this is just in the style of S. Baudelaire, the main novel of which the film is not only called, but also the ideas of which are literally imbued. What I don’t understand is the behavior of the main character, Takao Kasuga. He is not a pervert, as it may seem, he is sincerely in love with the main girl of the school Nanako Sayoki, he has good friends and hobbies. Why did he suddenly decide to ruin everything, plunged more and more into Nakamura's villains, following her on the lead, constantly humiliating himself, trying to earn her trust. The creators of “between the lines” explain this as simple teenage rebelliousness, but this can not be called naive pranks. Kasuga wanted to pull her out of her own dark abyss? Save yourself from yourself, and didn’t notice how you fell in love? If so, then actor Kentaro Ito clearly did not convey this. To go that far just for the sake of not being boring? I can only explain this by the philosophy of Baudelaire.
That is why this film will not be understood by unprepared viewers, as well as by young people themselves. I venture to assume that the latter will perceive the behavior of the characters as just ordinary teenage rebelliousness. And that eye in the sky is very symbolic. The one I truly feel sorry for in this story is Sayoki. The girl is used to being surrounded by attention, in love with Kasuga and does not understand when he rejects her, following the lead of Nakamura. And that scene in the cabin in the clearing is very revealing. Actress Shiori Akita very well conveyed this inner world of her heroine. You feel sympathy for her and you regret it. A very strong character was Sawa Nakamura. In fact, it was the whole story. And Tina Tamashiro didn't fail. You do not understand her character, you sincerely hate and regret. These contradictory feelings constantly arise while watching. A very difficult character, but the actress did a great job. But Takao Kasuga turned out to be a very static and bland character. It's like a mattress that everyone pushes around with. He is constantly torn between girls, striving to show his love for one, and to preserve the other. She is constantly pushing him away, playing like her own dog. Does he have no character at all? And ready to go that far? Personally, I did not understand this character, although again, it may be all in the philosophy of Charles Baudelaire.
The main themes of the film, following the poetry of Baudelaire, are boredom, despondency and gloomy insanity. Did you notice? Even the very structure of the film is built on the canvas of the eponymous collection of poems by this French poet-symbolist: “Twilight and the ideal” – a scene in the classroom and acquaintance with the heroes, “Pictures” – immersion into the inner world of this three – so dark and contradictory, “Wine” and “Rebellion” – the very mountain for the reverse side of which Takao and Sava are so eager to get, and once they find only emptiness. And, finally, the "Flowers of Evil", and behind them "Death" - a kind of agony and the highest point of the plot - a scene at the summer festival (such a favorite plot in Japanese films about teenagers).
As you can see, this film is not for everyone. And it is not so much about the puberty of adolescents (hidden intimate scenes abound in it, as well as cruel violence), but about how far a person can go, walking the path of his own demons. Everyone has them, not just teenagers. If you like hard movies and dark philosophy Baudelaire, and only if you are ready for the perception of this – watch this film. Otherwise, it may seem too aggressive and incomprehensible, and everything will end with a simple realization of hypertrophy, which Japanese films about school abound.
6 out of 10