“Scarecrow” A road movie about misfits created by a “scarecrow” made from scrap wood.

“Walking Scarecrow” ─ Futen’s Max and Lion

Traveling is a journey, and life is a journey. Max and Lionel form a friendship after a chance encounter. Just as we can't explain why people fall in love, we don't know what triggers friendships. Max affectionately calls Lionel "Lion," and they vow to open a "car wash" business in Pittsburgh. But the journey is long. You have to overcome many difficulties full of troubles.

This work was released in 1973. At that time, there was a man in Japan who traveled without having a regular job. Yes, this is Torajiro Kuruma (Kiyoshi Atsumi), the main character of the series ``It's Tough Being a Man' ' (69-19). This man, nicknamed ``Tora-san,'' was also an outcast, calling himself ``Futen,'' and around this time he was freely traveling around Hokkaido and Kyushu. Tora-san, Max, and Lion are all the same in terms of “misfit travelers.” But there is a crucial difference between them. The question is whether there is a place to return to.

“It’s Tough Being a Man, Welcome Back Tora-san” preview

Tora-san has a place to return to called ``Toraya'' in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. Therefore, he was able to casually throw himself into the Futen life without any particular purpose. As long as Toraya exists, Tora-san will be able to continue living a carefree life. But Max and Lion have no place to return to. I can't afford to wander forever in the sky. That's why they needed a purpose: to open a car wash in Pittsburgh.

Unlike Lion, who is flexible, Max is stubborn about opening a car wash in Pittsburgh. I think this shows that when they lose their purpose, they also lose their "place". For those who are still on a journey and don't have a place to live yet, it can be called a ``spiritual place''.

Although Tora-san is a kind-hearted man, he has a bit of a quarrelsome side, and sometimes his goofy side shows through. This is the nature of Tora-san, and if he had only one of these, he would not have been able to continue his journey.

On the other hand, Max and Lion's combination isn't just about their appearance. Max's characteristic is that he is quick to fight, and Lion's characteristic is that he is dauntless. If one of them is missing, sometimes a small problem will develop into a big one. If you think about it, it is inevitable that they will travel together as companions. They cannot travel unless they are together. Both are indispensable and irreplaceable to each other. They have already become each other's "home" (place to return to).

What makes up a scarecrow?