★ 7 / 10
6.8/10. Overrated.
athanasiosze
First of all, this is a 143 minutes movie and not for a second it became uninteresting to watch, so this is a big positive. Furthermore, director did a great…
First of all, this is a 143 minutes movie and not for a second it became uninteresting to watch, so this is a big positive. Furthermore, director did a great job. I am not an expert in this, i can't analyse it and describe it in film making terms, but i enjoyed everything, the camera angles and movements, the shots and visually, it's equally great. Cinematography is another positive.Acting was good, even the whole conflict between this totally immoral leading character and the monk, was interesting. Still, i can't rate it higher. Too sick, perverse and twisted. I mean, let's say heaven doesn't exist, still incest is not justifiable. Philosophically, there is a huge leap of logic here. Maybe it was revolutionary back then having a lead character say and do all of those things, but today, this feels even dated. And immature. " Ah, look at me, i represent carnal desires and i am having sex with anyone".Overall, this movie is narcissistic and thinks it's brilliant whereas in reality, it's more of a curiosum. It's also misogynistic, i mean, the writer doesn't have a clue how to depict womens' thoughts and feelings and treats them like they're something inferior to men.Still, in terms of film making, it's great and many cinephiles will enjoy it, just for the directing and the cinematography.
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★ 8 / 10
Serious Stuff
derek-duerden
I'm not very schooled in Japanese tradition and fables, so there's probably more in this than I could ever spot**. However, despite the slow pace and the…
I'm not very schooled in Japanese tradition and fables, so there's probably more in this than I could ever spot**. However, despite the slow pace and the occasional confusion between characters, I was impressed by the handling of some very deep and philosophical themes.
Most obviously, of course, there is the central matter of incest but this is just the most extreme aspect of Masao's nihilism and rejection of social norms. Whether this is mainly or totally as a result of parental expectations and pressure is moot, but the poisonous effect on everyone around him is well-explored, particularly on his buddhist monk friend and the poor houseboy.
A very interesting meditation on personal responsibility and the meaning of life.
(** I'm sure that the buried carp towards the end has great significance, for example...)
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Still out of sync...