It’s weird to think it has been eight years since I last got to sample a Naoko Yamada production via the amazing A Silent Voice. That film blew me away with it’s simultaneously touching and gripping depiction of adolescence. So I was absolutely intrigued to see what Yamada would offer on that front with The Colors Within.
Usually in my reviews I offer an Act I synopsis to explain the film I’m discussing but that doesn’t really work here. That’s not to say the film doesn’t have a story but it’s more concerned with being a snapshot of adolescence. Three young teenagers (the kind hearted Totsuko, troubled Kimi and gregarious Rui) meet by chance and decide to form a band. It’d be quite easy to imagine the fairly cliche Hollywood version of this and the easy to predict complications that would throw to generate drama but The Colors Within doesn’t walk that path. Each of the trio has their own problem (Totsuko’s synesthesia, Kimi and Rui’s variations of family pressure) but the film sticks firmly to being uplifting throughout.
Totsuko’s synesthesia sadly feels superfluous. It plays a role early on and we see a few creative visuals from it but beyond being used to explain her mild shyness it’s never quite as important as the title seems to imply. This is a shame because one thing it is used for is to drop implications that Totsuko is gay but these are never explored beyond implications. The character is attending a Christian boarding school so it’d be easy to imagine a version of this story which pits her identity against the religion she’s been raised with but the film just doesn’t go there.
I’m more forgiving of the paths taken with Kimi and Rui as these are looks at the fleeting nature of youth and how when born into a less than ideal circumstances all you can do is enjoy the freedom you have before inevitably stepping into adult life. Again, it’d be easy to picture a Hollywood version of this film offering a more manufactured ‘magic wand’ resolution but the statement here is braver for highlighting the fleeting nature of life. As the old wisdom goes, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”. That’s the mentality The Colors Within seems to run with.
Visually the film is beautiful. There’s a bright watercolour aesthetic which is easy on the eyes and keeps your attention. Obviously a human drama story like this won’t have the more stereotype beam struggles or giant robots of most other anime but the animators acquit themselves well and there’s hardly ever a moment without characterful animation that pops.
The film will be presented theatrically as a mix of dubbed and subtitled screenings, with the latter being the version we were showcased. The central cast are largely portrayed by Japanese actors more known for live action, whilst secondary characters are played by stars more familiar to anime fans. Attempting voice acting isn’t easy, especially for actors more used to on-camera roles but everyone here is on perfect form. The main trio in particular are quickly endearing.
The Colors Within might not quite hit the heights A Silent Voice did but it’s still a perfect example of the merits of releasing Japanese cinema internationally. In an era where Western cinema is fixated on cinematic universes and endless reboots, a film like this reminds us of the dual wonders of cinema and the human experience. Definitely recommended.
The Colors Within will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland starting from 31st January in both subbed and dubbed formats.
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