Oh man, just finished watching it... and why do I always do this to myself? I know this movie always makes me feel like shit and super fucking depressed afterwards, but I always watch it. It's just such a masterclass in film-making, and it's such a grimly realistic story. I'm all about humanist stories that show often ignored or otherwise socially-taboo sub-cultures and stories and watch them more than I probably should (as is seen with The Florida Project, Lolita, The Virgin Suicides and Tangerine for example). It's probably the soundtrack as well put together with the lucid and surreal nature of the film that keeps on bringing me back to it despite me knowing I'll be crying once the credits roll.
Slowdive and Sigur Ros both being part of the soundtrack has always been a reason I return to this movie (Same reason as MBV and TJAMC being in the soundtrack of Lost in Translation brings me back to that movie), soundtracks can be everything it takes to bring me back to it multiple times afterwards despite how the movie makes me feel.
So depressing and so melancholic, but a fucking great film if I've ever seen one.
I gave this a perfect 10.. there aren’t many films that can affect me emotionally as much. It’s one I frequently see and I feel it portrays the psychological effects of child molestation once they become adult s in the most grimly realistic way. There are entire articles about how Araki was able to shine light on this particular often-ignored issue in the most realistic and truthful way, and that people who go through stuff like this when they are younger actually have a lot of similar behavior patterns as the ones portrayed in the movie once they became adults. Also, considering this is such a tabboo subject, there wasn’t much room for Araki to portray these events without the film coming across as perverse. Yet he managed to do it in an incredibly respectful manner and was able to bring across the most heartbreaking story I’ve ever seen on screen!
Araki has a certain way of letting you into someone’s mind, but he does it in the most melancholic way. It’s very admirable to see how great of a grasp he has on human emotions.
That, plus the soundtrack is what continues to bring me back to this film.
Yeah, it seems as if everyone had the same thoughts about this one! Glad you guys were able to enjoy it despite it’s mentally depleting nature! <3
ps. Check out more of Araki’s stuff. This movie is definitely his most mature film, but a lot of his stuff (especially his early stuff) is really wacky and crazy. Def not for everyone, but again - killer soundtracks! <3. Give it a shot. The Teen Apocolypse Trilogy is a great place to start!
But yeah, it was fun but all things must come to an end so new things can be born (ain’t I a cheesy little bitch), so I’ll be passing the remote to Brian!
