Forgotten now in the UK, but dubbed in French and given English subtitles it was touted around second rate British cinemas in 1958. It was cut, and the BBFC in its current state does not tell us that, and wore its 'X' certificate for adults only with pride. The French respected it more, and Truffaut was impressed and made it respectably noticed by the public there. It heralded the Nouvelle Vague with a very loud trumpet, but in my opinion it caught the rebellious spirit of youth better than the Nouvelle Vague did. It showed real teenagers instead of the twenties something people that the French presented. It also outdid Hollywood as well and you only have to see the ' teens ' in ' Rock Around the Clock ' to see that. It is an astonishing film, tumescent in its presentation of the need for hungry sex, and is bisexual in the sense that it presents both girls and boys in a state of constant sexual excitement. Nothing too graphic is shown, but it rages with its often frustrated need for sex, clothes pared down to very revealing swimsuits and the boys clan together and even play strip poker with each other. There is also a lingering shot of brother looking down at his sleeping semi-naked brother which is given a scene of its own, and is full of ambiguity. But what is really essential is the urgency of the film making, and the opening scene with its hauntingly erotic music, literally plunging you into the waves of desire and ultimate annihilation. Sex and death are intertwined in this film and both have an urgent need for a kind of nihilistic satisfaction. It is an astonishing film open to many interpretations and was a one off of its kind. The so-called ' Sun Tribe ' ( those dedicated to speed boats and sun and juvenile Japanese revolt ) was short lived, and ended as most things do, corseted into conservatism. Sharp as a razor this film cuts is way into film history like no other I have seen, and its savage sexuality almost rips the screen apart. The ending makes Hitchcock and other purveyors of shock look pale in comparison. The acting is brilliantly raw, and so is the sweep of the camera all too willing to plunge into revealing frenetic action, sexuality and violent despair. A great, great film and beg or borrow see it as soon as you can. There is nothing like it and ' Rebel Without A Cause ' is melodrama compared to its vitality and youthful hunger, and to grab life with both hands, even to the point of oblivion and self imposed pain.
Review of Crazed Fruit
