Lightdeossk
Captivating movie !
FuzzyTagz
If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
talisencrw
I am a great fan of Ôshima's work, though unfortunately I have only seen previously six films of his, all between 1965's 'Pleasures of the Flesh' and 1976's extremely controversial 'In the Realm of the Senses'. This, like the latter, was a period piece that looked at a doomed relationship (this time in 1895), though far less scandalous in its sexuality, though still titillating nevertheless. Exiled and forced to work with the French in order to continue his passion, Ôshima's storytelling, through Yoshio Miyajima's gorgeous camera-work and another exemplary soundtrack by Japanese scoring genius, Tôru Takemitsu, and remarkably passion-ate performances by its stars, Tatsuya Fuji (who separated his shoulder, his acting was so intense) and Kazuko Yoshiyuki (who, I must admit, has the most amazing nipples I have ever seen), was great, earning him Best Director at Cannes. It seemed a reverse noir, with Fuji's Toyoji playing the seducer, and Yoshiuki's once-faithful wife being persuaded to be co-conspirator to her loving (but not fulfilling her desires) rickshaw-driver husband, not to mention a fine ghost story, with Gisaburo's very patient ghost taking three years to finally bring himself justice, by forcing the community to press the horribly-incompetent (almost as inept as Doug McGrath's Sergeant Nash in the original 'Black Christmas'!) Inspector Hotta to eventually torture confessions out of the ill-fated duo. Another film to see with the person you love!...
MartinHafer
The very premise of this film was icky and turned me off completely. This isn't 100% surprising, as the director (Nagisa Ôshima) had a reputation for pushing the boundaries of taste and propriety. And, I really doubt he could have gotten away with making a film like this in the States. That's because the film shows a lecherous man raping a married older woman--and she LIKES it and becomes hopelessly devoted to him. And a bit later, when he suggests they murder her husband, she goes along with it and helps her lover strangle the poor guy! All this is very explicit (for a Japanese film this means lots of nudity but NEVER any crotch shots) and nasty.Although you might think the two would live happily ever after, this is not the case. The dead man was shoved into an old well--but his ghost haunts his wife throughout the film and even visits their daughter. And, she eventually loses her mind and only wishes to dies--even three years later. And, while the lover isn't quite as guilt-stricken, he's also a mess and the pair never have much chance to enjoy their new sordid lives--which I guess is trying to say that crime and evil doesn't pay.If you ignore the ickiness of the plot and how irresponsible it is, is it any good? Well, it's fair--neither great nor good. And, the viewer might wish to know that the rape myth is relatively common in Japanese films and anime--it's sure a different culture. I didn't particularly enjoy the experience.
Chris Haskell
What a curious film. I think I enjoyed it, but it's difficult to say. Plot aside, to me this is a story about vanity and selfishness blinding two individuals and guiding them to make ill-informed decisions. One of the most interesting lines in this film for me was when the daughter says that her mom wanted a good life when she was young. It seems that desire never left Seki (now a mom and the wife of a rickshaw driver), and she is immediately willing to follow the advances and promises of a younger man who offers her intimacy and (I'm guessing in her mind) a chance to start over. There is a period of calm and then chaos following a major decision Seki makes, and the way she handles the world crashing in around her is to be expected. What was surprising, and I think what ultimately redeemed this movie for me, was the lack of support she got from the one person she trusted to stay by her side. This forces her to face a decision she was never 100% comfortable making, and brings out the emotional torment she endures beautifully. There are moments in the film I didn't enjoy, but it's a very original take on an age old conundrum, and a very strong performance from the leading two actors. Rating 26/40
GyatsoLa
A genuinely creepy ghost story, full of chills and sensuality, this movie just falls short of what it promises. It is apparently based on an old ghost story, and perhaps relies a little too much on a simple premise. For most of the way, its imaginative and genuinely gripping, but at the end its almost like Oshima just lost interest in it, and brought it to a rapid ending.The story is simple - a woman and her younger lover kill her husband so that they can be together. But their failure of nerve and his returning ghost condemn them to madness. Its beautifully handled, with imaginative set scenes, and the lovers passion is portrayed beautifully. But too often the movie fails to really deliver on its promise, almost as if Oshima loses his nerve in the same way the lovers do.Its a worthwhile movie to watch just to see how Oshima combines his great skill as a film maker with some exploitation movie tricks to pull the audience along, but sadly its not a true classic in the mold of movies like Onibaba or Woman of the Dunes.
