Shimotsuma monogatari (2005)

Momoko is fascinated by the Rococo period. This young village girl lives for lace, embroidery and parasols and longs for the Hedonism of 18th Century France. Enter biker chick Ichigo, an independent girl of questionable history. The two girls strike an unlikely friendship. As the teen girls struggle with their own identities, their friendship falters. Fiercely protective of their prospective worlds, they begin to wonder can they coexist?

Based on a Japanese novel, the American translated Kamikaze Girls is a brightly-colored, slightly surreal tale blends anime and live action to create a fresh coming of age story. It's like Hello Kitty got angry.

The production is thoroughly modern. The female leads are engaging--one with her penchant for Lolita fashion, the other for her moped. The film balances the fairy tale elements beautifully with Gwen Stefani truths. Additionally, the dialogue is remarkable truthful, humorous, and surprisingly unobtrusively subtitled.

As I see it, Kamikaze Girls is a rare treat. I'm saddened to think only a handful of people might see it.