Taiyozoku trouble

Yesterday I polished off an 10-hour day at work, then relaxed with a great film.
Ko Nakahira's "Kurutta Kajitsu (Crazed Fruit)" could be called the Japanese equivalent to "Rebel Without a Cause." The youngsters in the 1956 film rebel by lounging around all day, drinking and hanging out with girls. These antics seem tame to us, but for a Japan tirelessly recreating itself into a post-war economic giant, these members of the taiyozoku -- the "Sun Tribe" of juvenile delinquents -- would have seemed like a plague.
Aside from a sociological study of mid-1950s Japan, the film presents a gripping story of a love triangle involving young and shy Haruji (Masahiko Tsugawa), his older brother Natsuhisa (50s icon Yujiro Ishihara) and the girl they both covet, Eri (the mesmerizing Mie Kitahara).
Add in the charismatic, Amerasian leader of the local "gang" of jalopy-riding thrill-seekers, Frank (scene-stealing, Japanese-Danish actor Masumi Okada), and you have the elements for a real spellbinding flick from the 1950s that not many people over here in the States even know about.
I would highly recommend it, however, especially if you need to wind down from a long day at work.