Is The Day of Youth Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1960)

📖 The Core Premise

The Day of Youth stands as a 1960 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Drama landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "At Tokyo Gakuen University, Takema, son of Tatsunosuke, chief of the Waku gang, is a freshman who wishes to prepare himself for a better life away from gang activities despite the wishes of his father who wants him to assist strengthen the gang against the Kawano group. Takema's classmate, Akiko, is the daughter of Eiko who operates a restaurant, and through her he obtains a lodging in the house of Shiu, a dancing mistress. The students enjoy their life, but most have their troubles. Sakamoto works as a laborer on the docks to help pay for his schooling, and Akiko worries over the relationship between her mother and Sakurai, a corrupt politician, suspected to be involved in graft over jet aircraft."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Day of Youth, even the presence of Yūjirō Ishihara struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Day of Youth worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Day of Youth misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 88 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.