I'm not sure if I qualify for commenting on this movie. I'm on and off impressed with director Nagisa Ooshima's movies. I'm not from the generation when he was at the zenith of his career, and I can't comment on how much of a shock value his movies had in the '60s and '70s.
The movie is beautiful. One thing I can say about director Ooshima is the perfection of beauty of his visuals.
The story seems rather prosaic now after 35 years since it was made. It's a simple story about a murder based on an affair. How unusual is that ? I was counting on Ooshima's sharpness at making a point from his unique perspective as a director, and a story teller. I couldn't find that here, and is my point of disappointment.
The movie is rather ordinary Japanese movie from the '70s. It's got stunningly beautiful visuals compared to movies other directors made around the same period (see for instance "Inugami no Tatari" that takes place in a similar setting and you'll see how great Nagisa Ooshima's visual presentation is), but the story and the acting is rather average. I also couldn't feel the outstanding "speed" that I usually feel when watching his better movies.
So I'm only commenting from the 21st century perspective on this movie, and may not at all be fair to the movie or the director. But it's a good movie that's mildly interesting to watch, with absolutely first class cinematography. You would have to see this yourself, and be the judge of its value.
The movie is beautiful. One thing I can say about director Ooshima is the perfection of beauty of his visuals.
The story seems rather prosaic now after 35 years since it was made. It's a simple story about a murder based on an affair. How unusual is that ? I was counting on Ooshima's sharpness at making a point from his unique perspective as a director, and a story teller. I couldn't find that here, and is my point of disappointment.
The movie is rather ordinary Japanese movie from the '70s. It's got stunningly beautiful visuals compared to movies other directors made around the same period (see for instance "Inugami no Tatari" that takes place in a similar setting and you'll see how great Nagisa Ooshima's visual presentation is), but the story and the acting is rather average. I also couldn't feel the outstanding "speed" that I usually feel when watching his better movies.
So I'm only commenting from the 21st century perspective on this movie, and may not at all be fair to the movie or the director. But it's a good movie that's mildly interesting to watch, with absolutely first class cinematography. You would have to see this yourself, and be the judge of its value.