In Full Bloom Movie Review

"Look where you are. You're on top of the world!"

by Casimir Harlow
Movies & TV Shows Review

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In Full Bloom Movie Review

Shooting for Raging Bull by way of Malick, the stylish and atmospheric In Full Bloom is a gorgeously crafted directorial debut, vibrantly distinctive and - as with all the most impressive debuts - hinting at the great films that we can look forward to from these fresh new filmmakers.

Even working with a less well-known - and arguably ultimately lesser - cast, it's clear that debut directors (and writers) Adam VillaSenor and Reza Ghassemi have taken their inspiration from the greats: the likes of Malick, Scorsese and even Cimino, painting a low budget but immensely stylish and contemplative portrait that owes more to Raging Bull and On the Waterfront than Rocky, with a purposefully paced Malickian bent and commensurate visual aesthetic, and a distinctive, predominantly Japanese flavour (it may be ostensibly an "American" production, but the majority of the movie is in Japanese).

 

... owes more to Raging Bull and On the Waterfront than Rocky 

American fighter Clint Sullivan, is in Tokyo to fight Japan's undefeated champion Masahiro, hoping to stand tall against his well-respected opponent, but carrying the weight of his WWII experiences in the back of his mind, whilst feeling pressure from the political climate and indeed the local Yakuza.

In Full Bloom

In Full Bloom references the blooming of the cherry blossom in Japan - a short burst of perfect energy that soon dissipates, analogous to the prime fighters at the heart of its story, who are at the peak of their skills and have but one moment to shine. The limitations in its fairly brief narrative are cleverly concealed through considered flashbacks, unusual training sequences, and tense confrontations that give you everything you need to know for what is - essentially - a considered build-up to a single, momentous fight.

Of course the dual writer/directors don't have all the tools at their disposal to craft a Raging Bull - or even a Warrior for that matter - instead having to work with what they have to hand, and give the whole thing an impressive visual finish. The use of imposing shadows, striking red tones, and distinctive locations allows the limited budget endeavour to burst forth with vitality. The snow-based training sequences, the claustrophobic locker room, the Yakuza train car - they all look visually distinctive, and there's a definite noir vibe that informs the sports drama, proving an eclectic blend. You only have to wonder what a bigger budget and more familiar cast might have done with this material.

 

... there's a definite noir vibe that informs the sports drama, proving an eclectic blend

The cast does come with its limitations, unfortunately, with the two lead fighters both having different weaknesses. Tyler Wood is like a sub-Scott Eastwood (himself a shadow of his father, despite some impressive work in the underrated The Outpost). It's literally the first bit of acting he's ever done and, judged on those merits alone, it's solid work, but there is no denying the limitations it imposes on the production, particularly when called upon to evoke a sense of being haunted by his Deer Hunter-like experiences in the war (themselves underserved, again likely by budgetary restrictions). He's a formidable physical presence, but he needs a little more refinement in the character portrayal department, whilst Yusuke Ogasawara has the better handle on characterisation and arguably a more dedicated development in terms of his arduous training regime, however just doesn't quite convince as much as a viable opponent.

Still, In Full Bloom is bursting with promise, exploding in a momentous final fight sequence which will likely be advertised as the sole selling point of the effort (despite that being immensely misleading) and which does provide a powerful way to aptly close out the dual narratives. No, nobody is going to actually look back on In Full Bloom as an actual contender for future classic status, but the filmmakers are certainly taking the right inspiration for their art, and it's a valiant attempt at a low budget boxing movie that, despite being in a genre which is innately restricted, feels different surprisingly different

Dazzler Media presents In Full Bloom on DVD and Digital Download from 4th October.

Scores

Verdict

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7

7
AVForumsSCORE
OUT OF
10

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