Viewed on DVD. Studio Director Shouhei Imamura delivers a gruesome tale about the product of a dysfunctional family who ends up as a remorseless killer (as well as an accomplished minor con artist). This Shochiku programmer is apparently based on a documentary-style book which, in turn, is based on actual events. The photo play tries to embrace and regurgitate both data sources which results in a schizophrenic movie that suffers from excessive "ancestor worship." Initially, the Director tries combining flashbacks with documentary-style filming (which never play well together), but quickly abandons this approach (much to the viewer's relief who would otherwise need a spreadsheet to keep track of things!). Early murder scenes are unintentionally hilarious, as characters just plain refuse to die despite receiving multiple fatal wounds. In between later murders, the killer freely roams city streets undisguised (except for sunglasses) when wanted posters are literally plastered everywhere! (A death wish; a plea for help; or just a dumb screen script?) Actors and actresses lack on-screen chemistry. Rather than forming an ensemble, each seems to be waiting to deliver lines instead of listening and reacting to the dialog of others. The lead actor does not seem to be in his element when playing a murderer, but, instead, when playing a chameleon-like swindler who can change modes of deception on the fly! Nude scenes and gratuitous simulated sex are inserted here and there to spice things up (and boost juvenile audience appeal). Cinematography (semi wide screen, color) is good except for the closing scenes (see below). Restoration is very good. Subtitles for opening credits are near-white letters on top of white Japanese characters making them challenging/impossible to read. Dialog subtitles are sometimes too long given their screen flash rates. Yup, the English title (widely used) for this movie does not fit, but it is catchy. The ending is just plain weird (and seems to be tacked on as well as poorly executed and photographed). But, then again, there could be a message hidden in there--somewhere! Not recommended (unless you first park your brain beside your disc player). WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of Vengeance Is Mine
