'Blue, Painful, Fragile/青くて痛くて脆い' is a Japanese thriller-drama adapted from the novel by Sumino Yoru. The film follows the story of Tabata Kaede, a quiet and reserved university student whose main philosophy is "never get close to people, never challenge their opinion, then you won't be hurt or hurt anyone". This philosophy leads Tabata to form a friendship with Akiyoshi Hisano, a fellow student who possesses idealistic views and argues that society should be striving for the ideal, not violence. Mocked by her classmates, Akiyoshi becomes friends with Tabata and together they form a club known as Moai.
The story follows their belief in the importance of goodwill and changing the world for the better. 'Blue, Painful. Fragile' is a title that aptly encapsulates the themes that arise throughout the film. Moai is a club that upholds values and concerns that will resonate with many, particularly a younger audience. As the film delves into the relationship between the two students, their beloved society Moai evolves into a networking event for students, with its founding philosophy and ethics lost in political games. Yoshizawa Ryo and Sugisaka Hana convincingly play their roles in a film that charts their character's tumultuous and tense relationship. As the plot becomes complicated and the characters begin to doubt their moral values, the story begins to explore the downfall of a club built by two individuals trying to bring about world peace.
'Blue, Painful, Fragile' is not your traditional romantic drama, but it holds an important message regarding violence, values and responsibility, something that tends to be ignored in popular culture.
'Blue, Painful, Fragile'/青くて痛くて脆い' - 3/5 (now available on Netflix)
'Blue, Painful, Fragile'/青くて痛くて脆い' Directed by Kariyama Shunsuke, Starring: Yoshizawa Ryo, Sugisaka Hana.