Bright Future (2003)

Yuji (played by Jo Odagiri) and Mamoru (played by Tadanobu Asano) are two twentysomethings living in Tokyo and working in a plant that manufactures handtowels for restaurants. When the two are offered a bonus and a full time position at the plant by their boss, Mr. Fujiwara (played by Takashi Sasano), they come to a crossroads that most twentysomethings come to: is this what we want to be doing for the rest of our lives, and if not, what are we doing with our lives?

When Mr. Fujiwara comes to Mamoru's apartment to bond with the two, Mamoru gets fed up and lets his venomous pet jellyfish sting the unwitting Mr. Fujiwara, who fires him the next day. Later, Mamoru kills Fujiwara and his wife (played Marumi Shiraishi). Yuji walks in on the crime scene and calls the police, and Mamoru is arrested. This crime comes as a shock to everyone who knows him, including his estranged father, Shinichiro (played by Tatsuya Fuji). Mamoru entrusts his prized jellyfish to the care of Yuji, and he begins to instruct him on how to help the jellyfish adapt to freshwater. While imprisoned, Mamoru commits suicide, and leaves a signal for Yuji to "go ahead" with the plan, whatever that may be.

In the aftermath, Shinichiro takes Yuji under his wing, and Yuji's anti-social behavior becomes worse. He is offered a job with his sister's boyfriend's company, only to break into it with a gang of kids one night and steal money from the petty cash box, he breaks the antennae off of the roof of Shinichiro's shop, and he tries to steal money from Shinichiro to buy more brine shrimp to feed the jellyfish, which has now escaped into a nearby river after Yuji got angry and kicked over its tank.

It's a learning experience for Shinichiro and Yuji, as they try to figure out who Mamoru really was, why he did what he did, what does he want done in his absence, and what to do with their own lives.

Director and writer Kiyoshi Kurosawa is better known for his J-horror films, such as Pulse and Cure. What he left behind with those films, he continued on in spirit with his characters in this one. There's something dangerous lurking under the surface of Yuji that you get a feel for right off the bat. There were moments, though, where Kurosawa tries to lighten the mood by such devices as using upbeat and optimistic music (like when Yuji first sees the freed jellyfish aglow), and it just seems out of place in the overall scheme of this film. There really seems to be no hope for this kid. You feel for his plight of trying to make his friend's wishes happen, but he just keeps screwing up. Kurosawa does a great job, though, of bringing to life these horribly faulted characters that you feel for throughout the film.

Jo Odagiri does a bang-up job of bringing Yuji to life. He keeps the character honest, and he doesn't play anything to try and pull at your heartstrings. It's refreshing, albeit depressing, to see. If there was one weak link, It's Tadanobu Asano as Mamoru. There's no apparent choice that the actor makes for the reason behind Mamoru's actions at the start of the film. He just goes through the motions.

The cinematography works well for this film. It's digital, gritty and doesn't use a lot of close-ups. The digital quality keeps the colors muted, which adds a whole other level to the film. It also gives it a modern look, and dates the film, but in a good way. It solidifies the time and place of the film.

All in all, this film is a pretty good commentary on modern youth and the confusion, perceived failure, and the feeling of being out of place that they go through. I think it can transcend cultures in that respect. Give it a watch. It's a good ride.