If this had been a blockbuster film with special effects and big name Hollywood actors, it would have been the most boring thing every made.

But it wasn't. It was so down-to-earth and chock full of realistic characters and likely situations that it rang completely true. After a while, you forget you're not watching real people. And then it's really interesting. Because who doesn't like watching real people with real highs and real lows? Heck, that's why reality shows are addicting, right?: it's so easy to become emotionally invested in real people.

Anyway, so these girls form a band to cover some songs by The Blue Hearts in a school show. And then they practice. And they practice. And they…

A fantastic little story about teenage girls who try to learn a few rock songs in advance of a school festival. It doesn't sound like much on paper, but it is beautifully executed on screen: characters who are quirky and unique but have depth, an unobtrusive and bare-bones filmmaking style that nevertheless seems to always find director Yamashita picking the right shot, and fantastic music. Listen to the title track as performed by the film's actresses and as performed by the original band -- the movie version is actually better! How often does that happen?

Ultimately this movie works because it's willing to take its time. You get a chance to meet every girl in the band, to see how…

"Where are the real we?"

I once went to a karaoke room north of Hanoi and could sort of see the attraction, but because the microphone was high on the reverb and the songs weren't always understandable, it turned out more comical than artistic. Watching this movie, I get it now! Karaoke room = outlet for expression. The only time I'm seeing real emoting in the film is when someone's singing or playing an instrument. In fact, one of the best scenes is when a band member is alone in one of these rooms and begins to let loose--very liberating. The rest of the time, so much is left unspoken that had it not been a fitting tone for awkward…

If this had been a blockbuster film with special effects and big name Hollywood actors, it would have been the most boring thing every made.

But it wasn't. It was so down-to-earth and chock full of realistic characters and likely situations that it rang completely true. After a while, you forget you're not watching real people. And then it's really interesting. Because who doesn't like watching real people with real highs and real lows? Heck, that's why reality shows are addicting, right?: it's so easy to become emotionally invested in real people.

Anyway, so these girls form a band to cover some songs by The Blue Hearts in a school show. And then they practice. And they practice. And they…

A fantastic little story about teenage girls who try to learn a few rock songs in advance of a school festival. It doesn't sound like much on paper, but it is beautifully executed on screen: characters who are quirky and unique but have depth, an unobtrusive and bare-bones filmmaking style that nevertheless seems to always find director Yamashita picking the right shot, and fantastic music. Listen to the title track as performed by the film's actresses and as performed by the original band -- the movie version is actually better! How often does that happen?

Ultimately this movie works because it's willing to take its time. You get a chance to meet every girl in the band, to see how…