Double Suicide

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Massoud H Such a beautiful film. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/12/24 Full Review Dave S In 18th century Japan, a happily married business owner finds himself mutually and deeply in love with a prostitute. Eschewing all social conventions, he finds himself struggling to raise money to free her from the confines of the brothel. Director Masahiro Shinoda's Double Suicide, a title that is also a bit of a spoiler, uses kuroko theatrical techniques throughout the film as stagehands cloaked in black lurk in the shadows throughout, effective in some respects but wildly distracting at other times. As with so many Japanese films of the era, the acting is wildly overwrought, but Shinoda is ultimately successful in presenting his story thanks to the fascinating characters, effective lighting, interesting camera angles, and compelling story. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Puppets pulling the strings of passion. A great film. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This is Masahiro Shinoda's high concept staging of a bunraku puppet show with actors instead of dolls (but retaining the figures in black who control everything). The result is as highly stylized as you would imagine and starkly shot in high contrast black and white with Toru Takemitsu's minimalist score aiding in the effect. Based on a tale of doomed lovers by Chikamatsu (also a favourite of Mizoguchi's), the plot sees Jihei the paper merchant and Koharu the courtesan drawn inexorably to the fate announced in the title of the film. Even knowing what will happen, it is impossible to look away. Jihei's wife and two children are also dragged into the drama (as are his brother and her father). Everybody is so wrong-headed but erotic compulsion cannot be denied. The poor puppeteers in black can only look on in sympathy and horror (even as they occasionally assist the players); this adds another odd layer to the proceedings. The only other Shinoda film I've seen is Pale Flower (1964), a striking yakuza drama that is well worth your time. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Double Suicide is a film which I do not completely understand but nonetheless rate up. I rate flat or down many other films I do not understand because they feel hollow or pretentious or have no positive qualities I can appreciate. With Double Suicide, I cannot rate it as average given the very interesting filmmaking and choreography. I expect that with better understanding of Japanese theater and with repeated viewings I would come to better appreciate the film. That said, I find the (intentional) overwrought acting with overdub sound to be grating and give Double Suicide a low four stars. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Ingeniously directed and performed. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Double Suicide

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