Boy (1969)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Boy (1969) – N. Oshima

Oshima’s Boy feels a bit like a slap in the face.  Here we see, from the boy’s point of view, a few months in his life.  His Dad and Stepmom have trained him to jump out in front of cars so they can demand money from the unlucky drivers.  He may really get hurt upon occasion.  He often escapes to wander on his own and perhaps into a fantasy land filled with people from outer space.  He’s only 10.  Oshima fills the frame with geometrical shapes and often pushes the boy to the edges.  Some shots feel ugly and unbalanced but others are beautiful in their way.  The family travels all around Japan.  We worry about the boy and his younger brother (only 3) – how will they turn out?  Possibly not good.  Very disconcerting as a film (and worth your time).