‘Plastic’ Review – Glam Rock For The Lightyear Age

‘What once was will always be’ is the theme of Daisuke Miyazaki’s new film, Plastic. Going the route of looking at young love, a psychedelic and mysterious rock band, and literal plastic, Miyazaki explains that some things, no matter how they bend or change over time, are always there. Love, much like music, is timeless. Whenever you hear it again, you’re right back to that moment you heard it for the first time. The same is true when you reunite with your true love. All the feelings and emotions come back and even when both of you have moved on, a piece of you is always still there.

Along with that, comes the exploration of the incredible (but fictional) glam rock band icons of Exne Kedy and the Poltergeists. After his shot at a record deal falls through, Jun (Takuma Fujie) transfers to sleepy Nagoya and begins busking songs by his favorite 1970s glam rock band, Exne Kedy. The music catches the eye of fellow fan Ibuki (An Ogawa) and the pair soon fall in love over their shared musical taste. What is truly impressive about this film is it is hard to tell which you will be more enamored by: the music or the love story.

What’s also impressive is how much it leans into the latter. Once the connection over the music is made, the bulk of the film spends its time delving into the romantic aspect between these two characters. Ibuki is a determined and dedicated student focused on getting a scholarship to the school of her choice and getting a good job, while Jun wants to make music, although he’s not exactly sure how to get there or if he actually has anything to say. When Jun makes the decision to leave school entirely, it puts a rift in their relationship, and the two spiral down two radically different paths. 

The love story is just as compelling because there is the ‘will they/won’t they’ of the two reuniting later down the road. Other lovers come into play, but you wonder if they are merely placeholders for when the two are able to realign in the future. The film leaves the ambiguous, but it is a burning desire by the time the credits roll. But just as interesting is the music. Exne Kedy and the Poltergeists (which is done by an actual band called Kensuke Ide with his Mothership) has some wickedly catchy tunes. Their songs come into play at pivotal moments in each character’s journey. Some are light and nostalgic, others are heavy and rebellious. The music captures what it’s like to grow up, to love things and lose them, to be remorseful and optimistic. You will be dancing or at least swaying rhythmically to the sounds of this stylistically impressive band.

Exne Kedy provides the soundtrack to this worldly, rocky romance which takes place during the pandemic years as well. It is the pandemic itself that plays into much of the couple’s demise. Jun’s desire to make music gets upended when the world goes into lockdown. But Ibuki’s life remains fairly stable, just her classes are moved online. This is truly the perfect example of how no matter where you were in life by the time of the pandemic, it had some effect on you and the people around you. And for others, it changed everything. 

Ibuki and Jun fell in love over a shared interest in their favorite 70s-era rock band. 50 years later, the group is back and reuniting for a reunion concert. And much like plastic, it all comes back together. What once was will always be.

Maybe.

At some point.

We’re hoping.

Until then, at least we have the music. 

Plastic is currently available via Metrograph at Home courtesy of Kani Releasing. The film can also be purchased on Blu-Ray through Vinegar Syndrome and select online retailers.