Monday, November 14, 2005

Audition


(2000, Japanese) ****1/2

Years after his wife's death, Shigehura Aoyama is encouraged by his son to start dating again. Out of practice and socially inept, he opts for holding a fake movie audition as a shortcut to finding his next love. The woman he "casts" has all the makings of a perfect new wife. She's lovely, humble, obedient and was once a very talented ballet dancer. Much of the movie plays like a love story and it is surprisingly engaging even without the ominous undercurrent. As the viewer and Aoyama learn more about his mysterious belle, the film slowly tightens like a noose until it's too late for everyone involved.

The unbelievably shocking climax cannot be understated. Nothing I could write would ever be able to prepare you for the unforgettably horrific events that transpire. Shocking. Just shocking. And the sounds. That awful, awful sound took weeks to get out of my head. And now, thanks to this review, it's back!

Yet again the Japanese leave their American counterparts to sit in the corner and think about what they haven't done.

6 comments:

Johnny Sweatpants said...

And that's it for me! 42 movies isn't nearly as much as last year, nor was it even close to Octo's tally. It was however, 11 more than I was shooting for this year and it is also 10 more than double 16 horror movies, so I guess I'm satisfied.

JPX said...

This movie was great and unbelievably disturbing ("deeper, deeper, deeper. . ."). I think it may be the best find of the Thon this year.

Octopunk said...

I got this from Netflix for the thon and didn't get to it (too many slashers to watch). But I'm too curious to wait till next year.

Octopunk said...

Hey! I count forty-THREE movies for Summerisle. Well woo to the hoo.

And correct me if I'm wrong, guys, but isn't this the first time JPX has topped Summerisle's score?

JPX said...

You're right! I finally kicked my little brother's ass - this makes up for the countless Nintendo ass-kickings that I had to endure for many years!

Johnny Sweatpants said...

Yeah, this is the first year that you beat me, you bastard! Enjoy it while it lasts...

Malevolent

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