Pretty Good

People are voting emotionally.

Beautiful, moving film.

As Good As It Gets

This movie is not bad, but it pales in comparison to a much more effective (and shorter) South Park episode. The consistency of this movie is not very high, and movie is not a thrillfest some assume it is. However, it shows nicely depravity of a teenage soul, and the wreck selfish mothers and females can impose on vulnerable teenagers. It has some twists and turns, and a somewhat satisfying finale. It argues for cruelty against children, cruelty Asians are famous for, and it does so in a somewhat artificial way, but the misanthropy of this movie is heartfelt. It also proves that at the moment South Korean cinema is superior to Japanese cinema. Akira Kurosawa, Japanese genius, is turning in his grave, one ash droplet at a time. Still, not a bad movie, full of sarcasm, cynicism and Japanese culture.

Asian cinema tends to reside on the extremities of the film spectrum. They are either ridiculously subdued or extremely visceral. This post-modernistic thriller manages to land on the latter side and then some! However, its absurdity consequently increases its implausibility. A teacher confides in her class with regards to her daughter recently dying in an accident, convinced that some of her pupils actually murdered her. The narrative soon explores various confessions of characters involved in the mystery that rapidly creates a complex web of deceit and jealousy. An increasingly interesting plot structure that consistently shifts between these characters and possible motives. We view different perspectives from numerous relatable persons including teachers, students and mothers. All still relating to the thrilling plot. Nakashima bravely identifies the culprits early on after an outstanding twenty minute monologue that contains more tension than most Hollywood thrillers put together. He then proceeds to unravel the motivation behind the crime where psychological strands and moral compasses are heavily tested. Frequently shocking, forever engaging and incredibly stylistic. Yet, the second and third act are so overwrought and elaborate, in an attempt to neatly tie up the mystery, that the tension depreciated far too quickly. Its cold calculated exterior prevented any warmth to seep through, ultimately making it difficult to become invested in some of the characters. A few individuals though, the avenging Moriguchi and prodigy Shuya especially, are fleshed out and thematically portray the preciousness of life. The excessive utilisation of slow motion may seem derivative at first but surprisingly propels a stylistic purpose to the drama. Taking its time to fully render the inner darkness amongst these delinquents. I must confess, despite the several implausibilities, my admiration for the creative narrative and dark nature further cements my love for Japanese cinema.

Moriguchi is a school teacher, whose four year old daughter is found dead in the school's swimming pool. As a result, she decides to quit her job. As a Farewell speech, she begins with the importance of life and Later reveals that her child's death was not an accident. She knows the students behind this murder, who are in fact from her own class. The performances were all top notch, especially from Matsu and the kids. It's a dark revenge story that actually works because of its narrative style and It can easily keep the viewers on the edge of their seat. The plot was very impressive and the soundtrack also plays an important role in this flick. The film is quite stunning in every aspects and the overall effect of the movie was awesome.

I liked this movie a lot, as with many Asian movies you think a lot during and after watching it.I don't find anything seriously bad with it, i seen people who feel annoyed by the slow motion scenes, but for me i felt thats exactly how the movie should be done and i also felt that the slow motion was due to the confessions being told in detail instead of real time as being told without specific detail, almost like when someone write in caps and you feel the person is screaming. So for me the slow motion was perfect.As always i get a weird feeling after seen a movie like this and this feeling has come in a flurry no as i watched this one, memories of matsuko, the world of Kanouko and memories of the sword, the latter one is a Korean movie and much lighter, but all of them makes you or at least me think.