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Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

Play trailer Poster for Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters R 1985 2h 0m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Fact, fiction and dramatization illustrate events in the life of controversial author-militarist Yukio Mishima.
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Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

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Critics Consensus

If Paul Schrader's Yukio Mishima biopic omits too much to fully depict the author's life, its passion shines through in its avant-garde structure, Eiko Ishioka's production design, and Philip Glass' thunderous score.

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Critics Reviews

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Jay Scott Globe and Mail 08/08/2022
Mishima is so tight it comes close to strangeling its own schema. But it doesn't. Go to Full Review
Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 04/05/2022
4/4
Ah, but a noble failure is still a failure, you say. But Mishima is not a failure. No film that asks you to grasp your own life and to consider its ultimate value can be considered a failure. Go to Full Review
David Ansen Newsweek 04/05/2022
This handsomely shot movie, with its throbbing Philip Glass score, has a kind of perverse integrity; its mixture of the art house and the hothouse is pure Schrader. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 11
3.5/4
The storylines are often overwhelmed by the sheer magnificence of the visual approach. Go to Full Review
Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Jun 17
3.5/5
With its incredible production design & gorgeous cinematography, it makes for a stunning visual feast that is ultimately one of the director's most notable works. Go to Full Review
Mitchell Beaupre Paste Magazine 06/24/2024
10/10
Interrogates living in the world as an artist who feels like words aren’t able to have enough of an immediate impact (if any at all) and direct action’s impact is too fleeting. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Steve C Aug 2 In a way, it kind of shows that military officers need to be vetted for psychological issues from their past/upbringing. How else do you end up with a US General born a man and identifies as a woman? Do you want someone like that in charge of your country's military? Who knows what someone with that kind of psychological issues would do with that power? Can we really count on someone to stop that man, or expect that everyone will just follow orders? See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 4 Based on a true story in 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Jakub V @SirJames Jun 17 Tennó heika banzai! See more soulsinsomniac A May 17 one of my favourite movies of all time. epic, poetic, and starkly beautiful. See more Luis I Feb 6 It’s a truly unique film, with production design, story structure, and camera work standing out as definite highlights. The film blends elements of the titular character’s theatrical work with scenes from his real life, creating a fascinating experience that immerses us in his psyche. We gain insight into the character both through depictions of actual events and through the plays he wrote, making for a layered and introspective narrative. The theatrical scenes are especially striking, featuring rich and imaginative set designs that are beautifully captured through effective cinematography. Philip Glass’s score further enhances the film’s artistic and emotional atmosphere, perfectly complementing its visual storytelling. The directorial vision is spot-on, and the performances are equally strong, bringing depth to the characters. Some viewers might struggle to fully engage with the narrative structure, themes, or characters. The language barrier and the film’s unconventional, non-linear storytelling could alienate certain audiences. However, it’s still worth watching for its exceptional visuals and the distinct ambiance it creates. See more Jens B @Jens97 09/20/2024 Honor, masculinity, love, desire, pain, loneliness, beauty, longing, tradition, submission, dominance, poetry, sexuality – and again and again, the yearning for death. Few authors are as polarizing as Mishima. And few films have ever so brilliantly penetrated both the life AND the work of an artist as this one. Pen and sword become one. See more Read all reviews
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

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Movie Info

Synopsis Fact, fiction and dramatization illustrate events in the life of controversial author-militarist Yukio Mishima.
Director
Paul Schrader
Rating
R
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 18, 2017
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
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