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.
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.