"Falling in Spring", a man who has no other way to live

A boxing movie starring Koichi Sato and Ryusei Yokohama. Moreover, the original work is by Kotaro Sawaki. Isn't this an iron plate?

I think that given the current trend in the world, ``Starring Yokohama Ryusei'' is the one that attracts the most customers. As I will explain later, the climactic boxing scene is actually a masterpiece. I'm often surprised that I was able to capture a scene like this. Boxing scenes that are so realistic and powerful cannot be filmed with artificial materials. Actor Yokohama Ryusei is serious, isn't he? Therefore, it is correct to talk about the movie ``Scattered in Spring'' (23) in terms of the charm of Yokohama Ryusei.

However, people of my generation (especially writers) are fascinated by the original work by Kotaro Sawaki. When I was a student, I witnessed the rise of Kotaro Sawaki, the ``standard-bearer of new journalism,'' and the launch of Bungeishunju's ``Sports Graphic Number.'' "New Journalism" is a new style of journalism that was born in America. Some names, such as Tom Wolfe and Norman Mailer, are often mentioned, and they were characterized by ``daringly sacrificing objectivity to actively engage with the subject of the interview.'' In Japan, Mr. Sawaki is the name of the game.

One of them is `` A Moment of Summer .'' In this non-fiction book depicting the isolated and unaided fight between Cassius Naito, a young boxer whose father was an American soldier, and Eddie Townsend, an old trainer, Mr. Sawaki has crossed the line as a report writer and even bought a boxing promoter. It comes out. The way he approached the subject was amazing. All the Wakazos of my generation who aspired to be writers were hooked. In the world of journalism, where fact-based and objectivity are valued, the subject ``boku'' was born. Because I'm a promoter, and I become (a part of) the entity that creates the ``fact'' base of a boxing title match. I had never read such non-fiction.

The Asahi Shimbun serial novel `` Scattered in Spring '' is a work that resonates with the previous `` A Moment of Summer .'' Mr. Sawaki, who was a young reportage writer, chose boxing as his subject as an old novelist. Boxer Shogo Kuroki looks like Cassius Naito, and old trainer Jinichi Hirooka looks like Eddie Townsend. However, in terms of the structure of the work, while `` A Moment of Summer '' was the story of Cassius Naito's challenges, `` Spring Scattered '' focuses on the views on life and death of Jinichi Hirooka, a trainer in his mid-60s. In other words, the main character is a reflection of Sawaki himself.

That's why the success or failure of the movie depends on Koichi Sato, who plays Jinichi Hirooka. Hirooka, a former boxer who lost his brilliant career due to an unfair decision, is a man whose back tells the story. He is restrained and speaks few words. Coincidentally, he meets Shogo Kuroki, who was about to lose his career due to a similar unfair decision, and calls out to his old friend once again to return to the world of boxing.

Old men regain their lost dreams and lost passion. Well, it's also possible to say it positively, like "trying again" or "gaining life." Alternatively, it can be said that Hirooka was looking for a place to burn out and a place to die.

“Spring Scatter” ©2023 Movie “Spring Scatter” Production Committee

So, thank you for waiting for the wonderful actor Yokohama Ryusei. This person is really emitting something powerful. It's not like I'm good at acting or anything like that. It's glaring. In the script, they have him say ``Why are we fighting?'' as an explanatory line, but I thought that was superfluous. This is because the energy emitted by the Yokohama Meteor sufficiently explains this. Because of this, Hirooka and his old boxing friends are dreaming once again.

Well, in general, the things that can be explained in words are small. Boxer Shogo Kuroki is so glaring that he has no choice but to fight. Even Hirooka, who works alongside him as a trainer, has no other way to live. This is a drama about men who can only live like that.

And then there's the climactic boxing scene. Ryusei Yokohama and Masataka Kubota, two performers, will show off their serious boxing skills. This gives me goosebumps. There are no ``movie lies'' like dubbing or cuts or anything like that. The impact is not increased by splashing water like in the Rocky series. There is only a creaking body. It's truly amazing.

I'm sorry. The only thing I have a complaint about is the acting plan for Yukiyoshi Ozawa, who plays the opposing gym president. In a scene where champion Toshio Nakanishi, played by Masataka Kubota, is knocked down, he clenches his fists and delivers a punch while shouting, "Stand! Stand!" I've covered boxing at Korakuen Hall countless times, and I've never seen the president throw a series of punches when a boxer at his gym was knocked down, even if it meant "Hit it! Strike it!" There is no. If you were to say "Stand up!", you would probably bend over, and your hands would probably tense up, clutching the towel hanging around your neck, or something like that. I felt like the play and the lines didn't match. Well, it's the only one there.

Text: Ichiro Enoki

Born in 1959. Born in Akita Prefecture. Debuted in a commercial magazine with ``Takarajima'' in 1980 while studying at Chuo University. Since then, he has serialized columns and essays in various magazines, and continues to this day. Also active on radio and television. Twitter @ichiroenokido

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"Scattered in Spring"

Released on August 25th Distribution: Gaga

©2023 Movie “Scatter in Spring” Production Committee