Bounce Ko Gals: Reviews

ALTERNATE SYNOPSIS:
The most talked-about Japanese film in 1997, "Bounce Ko Gals" received much heated response both back home and in this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival. When people think loose socks, pocket-bells, photo stickers, and paid dates are the all-conclusive adjectives for high-school girls, director Harada tries to look into their inner world. Lisa, a high-school girl from Sendai, goes to Shibuya with the intention to make a little more money for her New York trip, but instead gets all her savings robbed. Then she meets Raku, who introduces her to Jonko, and the pair sets out to finance her trip. It is not in any way an easy task, with only a few hours to go before Lisa's flight, but they finally make it. Boarding the Skyliner train in tears, Lisa knows she's missing these two dear friends already. Shot in a semi-documentary form, the film is both disturbing and exciting, and the three young actresses' performances are simply, in a word, radiating.