(MA 15+) High Level Violence,
Adult Themes
Review By Russell Hamstead
Rating: 3 Stars
Duration:
80 minutes
The Movie is set in Japan where the main character, "Mima" is about to leave the pop idol group "CHAM" to become an actress, a career which she is looking forward to optimistically. She is signed up for a role in a murder-mystery series, but it takes a turn for the worst after she performs a scene where her character is raped. Although she is not really raped, she still feels defiled, next she finds internet sites describing every intimate detail of her life, and on top of this she submits to a nude photo shoot, all of which leads her to become deeply disturbed psychologically, and Mima's life begins to fall apart as reality and hallucinations merge together in her mind. Her associates suddenly start to be murdered, and although some clues are given as to who the killer is, as time progresses it become increasingly unclear, and Mima begins to feel worthless and afraid. This Hitchcock style thriller is not for the feint hearted, and if you take offence at graphic violence or animated nudity then you probably should see it. It examines the Psychological trauma that many stars have to face during their careers.
This movie is available on video or DVD in English or the original Japanese soundtracks, however there is a limited cinema release in August/September this year (go to www.madman.com.au for details).
IF YOU READ THIS PARAGRAPH YOU MAY SPOIL THE MOVIE
Based on my viewings of this movie, parts of it make more sense of you look at it from the perspective of "Roomie", who is the second main character, many parts don’t make sense unless you take into account that you are seeing some events through Roomies eyes, and then they still don’t make sense until the nature of roomies character’s Dissociative Identity Disorder is revealed at the very end of the movie.
This was a really weird movie, and was difficult to write a review on, but I did find it be interesting once it made sense.