His Motorbike, Her Island (1986) [Film Review]

His Motorbike, Her Island; or, Crazy Thunder Road 2: Love Warrior
     She was there from one summer to the next. She became my story.
I press on with my mini-marathon through Obayashi’s Kadokawa endeavours. This time, I am focusing on his 1986 bosozoku-centered picture called His Motorbike, Her Island, based on a romance novel by Yoshio Kataoka, with Riki Takeuchi and Kiwako Harada in the leading roles.

Release Info

Directed by: Nobuhiko Obayashi Starring: Riki Takeuchi, Kiwako Harada

Language: Japanese Original Title: 彼のオートバイ、彼女の島 Runtime: 90 min

Synopsis
Koh Hashimoto (Riki Takeuchi) is a young, rebellious student who after a failed romance goes on a bike ride through a rural town on an island, and meets a carefree girl Miyoko Shiraishi (Kiwako Harada). Gradually, a relationship forms between the two, but Miyoko gets increasingly drawn to the bike…

Speed Our Destination
The bosozoku subculture was truly at its peak in Japan of the 1980s, making forays into such domains as literature, manga, anime, television, and of course cinema. Undoubtedly, Sogo Ishii’s Crazy Thunder Road (1980), which was already discussed on this blog, serves as the best example of a film that depicted this phenomenon, but also took it to another level in aesthetic terms. It comes as no surprise that Nobuhiko Obayashi dipped his toes into the popular genre as well.

Although His Motorbike, Her Island is not as wacky as Crazy Thunder Road, I dare to say that Obayashi’s film functions very much like its companion piece. What makes His Motorbike, Her Island stand out from a whole slew of numerous bosozoku flicks is the fact that Obayashi for the first time in his career tells an essentially failed romance story. Koh is a social outcast, whereas Miyoko is just a rural girl. One would expect a passionate romance to catch on fire between the two, but it is only a dream, an illusion Miyoko at one point says to Koh: “In Shinshu… When I saw you on top of that Kawasaki, I was so jealous… I envied that Kawasaki. I wanted to ride it myself. And I wanted to be loved as much as that Kawasaki.”

Obayashi explores the unlikely romance through monochromatic shots as well as vividly colourful ones, blurring the lines between a dream, a memory, and reality. What makes the story more interesting is that it is told through the perspective of now adult Koh, which is an indication that he eventually matured, and we, the viewers, relive the glory days together with him. Nevertheless, the conclusion of the tale is unnerving to say the least. Allow me to refrain from giving away any major spoilers, but let me just say that Obayashi presents us with a seemingly bittersweet ending, but at its core, it is deeply heartbreaking.

With regard to performances, if you had not known that piece trivia, His Motorbike, Her Island is the debut appearance of the legendary actor Riki Takeuchi. Indeed, he has a dominating presence as the male lead, but one should also appreciate the youthful gentleness and vulnerability which he displays in this picture. Kiwako Harada is without a doubt memorable as Miyoko, but I would not call her the most assertive Obayashi heroine out there. Truth be told, her character is independent but lost at the same time. My praise also goes to Noriko Watanabe and Tomokazu Miura for appearing in the supporting parts.

Recommendations
I really do not want to use the word “esoteric”. I guess ethereal would be more suitable for His Motorbike, Her Island. Indeed, I appreciate the film for its ethereal ambience and the wonderful riding sequences through urban cityscapes as well as rural landscapes. It is yet another beautifully crafted picture by Nobuhiko Obayashi. The Third Window release of the film contains such bonus features as an archival interview with Nobuhiko Obayashi, an audio commentary by Tom Mes, and an original theatrical trailer.
Overall score: 7/10

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