hongzi chen the plot is quite simple:a Hokkaido's girl enters a Tokyo's university cause the man she unrequited love with is also in Tokyo. As an Asian,this movie make me reflect lots of my adolescence. there are 2 scenes are my favorites 1:girl with neighbor (the loneliness of the modern citizen) 2:the umbrella-borrow (Nireno is really pure)PS the film's name which translate 'story about April' in Chinese make me think another film 'pieces of April'also is a great film all in all if you want to relax for a easy plot movie it's a nice choice*****/*******

Atavisten A girl moves from Hokkaido in the north to attend university in Tokyo. Shigatsu Monogatari shows how difficult this can be in terms of meeting new friends, socialize with the neighbours and a Shunji Iwai topic, love.This is slow moving, some times very real-like. Some times it gets too slow, and at 67 minutes running time that is not too good. I have respect for the director, but what I have seen from him up until now has been not more than promising. It sometimes has the realism of Ozu, but not his actors or visuals. That said, its still a great movie. The sequence with the red umbrella was beautiful.

Edward717071 This was my third Shunji Iwai experience...richer than 'Picnic' and far richer than 'Undo'...once you get a glimpse of the artist you already know what to expect...beyond lyrical brilliance there's always a sense of sadness in a way that never really meets the eye...maybe is the music (classical masterpieces wonderfully chosen) or maybe is the loneliness of the characters depicted in a very personal manner...the fact that remains is you can not pass-by such movies w/o being deeply touched in a cathartic way... I somehow knew what to expect from 'April Story'....I have to admit that i red some of the comments posted here prior to seeing the film...and i went seeing it with some preconceived ideas on my mind...and nevertheless i was utterly satisfied...because the master done it again...but take my advice and go see that movie w/o knowing anything about it...it's deeper than a symphony and far insightful than an exhibition...and it's an exceptionally vibrant homage to whatever being a pure woman represents....highly reccomended...9/10

freakus This small (67 minutes) romantic story breaks no new ground but it is like a piece of candy. Sweet and thoroughly enjoyable while it lasts. I would have liked to see more develop but I think Shunji told the tale he wanted to tell, the loneliness of a girl starting college and how she finds a bit of happiness. The sort of thing high school girls fall in love with.