Synopsis
Charts the troubled teenage years of students Yūichi Hasumi and Shūsuke Hoshino, exploring the shifting and complex power dynamics of their relationship against the backdrop of Yūichi's love for the dreamy and abstract music of fictional pop star Lily Chou-Chou.
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Cast
- Hayato IchiharaYūichi Hasumi
- Shugo OshinariShūsuke Hoshino
- Yu AoiShiori Tsuda
- Ayumi ItoYōko Kuno
- Takao OsawaTabito Takao
- Ryo KatsujiTerawaki Shioske
- Kaku TomohiroMasashi Tadano
- Issey TakahashiIkeda Senpai
- Kazusa MatsudaSumika Kanzaki
- Takahito HosoyamadaKentarō Sasaki
Recommendations
- 100
Christian Science Monitor
Iwai's ambitious drama is strikingly shot, poignantly acted by a splendid young cast, and enriched by surprising use of Debussy classics on the soundtrack. - 91
Entertainment Weekly
Gorgeously shot tableaux of random adolescent brutality are interrupted by flashes of computer garble and chat-room talk, backed by ''Lily's'' music, with its blend of Debussy-like arpeggios and Enya-like sighing. - 90
Village Voice
It's a uniquely lonely film, and one of the year's most memorable. - 80
Los Angeles Times
Continually jarring. Although the film's narrative thread may prove chronically elusive, Iwai's depiction of what life can be like for far too many teens comes across loud and clear. - 80
L.A. Weekly
One of the most haunting, viciously honest coming-of-age films in recent memory. - 80
The A.V. Club
Drifting through time and space without firmly situating the viewer, Iwai's elliptical style requires patience, but also a willingness to be carried along by its gorgeous, dreamy lyricism. - 70
New Times (L.A.)
There's an eerie coolness to this film that's quite unsettling and un-Oshima-like. Rather lengthy, it requires patience. But adventurous moviegoers aren't likely to mind. - 70
The New York Times
Much of All About Lily Chou-Chou is mesmerizing: some of its plaintiveness could make you weep. If only Mr. Iwai trusted the material enough.
