Ao no hono-o

This is a brilliant example of a movie which is about murder, but which isn't a conventional crime thriller.

It's the exquisitely slow-paced tale of a murder - starting at the planning stage and following the perpetrator as he stumbles through a world irrevocably changed by his deed.

Beautifully written and filmed, with an eye-catching lead performance from Johnny's Entertainment idol Kazunari Ninomiya (who I'd previously only seen in a couple of comedy renzoku - I had no idea he could act like this!) and wonderfully restrained direction by Yukio Ninagawa, there's a lot to like here, but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.

This isn't a thriller by any means - it's very much a character drama, in spite of the tight plotting and the slow-building tension. The murder around which the story revolves is depicted carefully and in detail, but as much weight is placed on the state of mind of the killer and on the consequences of the crime (both legal and personal).

Well-written, well-made and excellently played, this is an interesting change of pace from the plethora of whodunnits and murder-mysteries and crime thrillers which tend to emphasise the action and investigation over the psychological aspects of what happens when one person kills another.

(Incidentally, this film reminded me strongly in its overall approach to murder of the writings of Patricia Highsmith, a good example being Found in the Street.)

This great Japanese movie is for people that have the hability to watch non-American movies, non-Hollywood movies. Not that it is slow, boring, cult, or anything, is just because this film contains very subtle references to Japanese culture. Anyway this is a very basic script filmed in a very poetic way. The film has everything: emotion, action, and drama. The film has centered its action in life of a 17-year old Japanese boy that drinks whiskey at night alone in his very particular room. The drama around the mess that his family bonds have become, is the driver for an astonishing snowball of events. He won't list his favourite things to the girl that follows his action days, but in the end the list goes on and on and keeps emotioning the viewer until a point of... Very good movie.

I was really shocked when I saw the film Ao no Honou. Was it because of the plot? No. Because of the subject matter? Not really. The truth was, I was amazed at how well these two pop stars, Nino and Ayaya, could really act. I was expecting, considering the cast consisted of a Hello! Project front girl and a Johnny's Jr. boy, a cute movie about kids in high school. Maybe Kazunari Ninomiya could act a little bit, and maybe Aya Matsuura was thrown in to have a cute face and sing the theme song. Boy was I ever wrong. Ao no Honou dived deep into the psyche of a young man's head, without an obvious voice over theme or very many ways to communicate his thoughts (minus the subtle tape recorder device). It showed what this youth does to protect his family and live his life, but everything he did was natural, from the big, plot-point-esquire actions, to the tiny gestures that Japanese filmmakers are so good at capturing on screen. As the best movies will, Ao no Honou brings you into the movie, and if something shocking, sickening, frightening, depressing, or just tear-worthy happens, you'll feel it. You won't easily forget the face of the talented Ninomiya, either, and don't be surprised if his character's struggles are on your mind for days after watching Ao no Honou.

Going into this I didn't know what to expect. I have more than a passing familliarity with japanese television and movies, I watch as much as I can actually. Now, there are two types of films, In a word, big budget hollywood types(Azumi, MoonChild, Returner, Casshern...) and there is of course this type. This type is more akin to the indie films that are common in the US and Canada. It has a low budget feel, all characterization and mood. The story also takes its time over the course of the two hour length. All this is good. Really I can only compare this to a movie called Postman Blues for the overall feel. Without ruining anything, expect a ride that'll show you something you've never seen before. It's an excellent movie over all, and there isn't anything bad about it I can say. It is well worth your time. Enjoy.

The movie's topic is certainly interesting, how to get rid of person who is destroying your family's life. The main character tried a legal way, but since there was no way to get rid of his awful stepfather in this way, he decided to commit a murder. The movie tries to justify his act desperately, but without a success- everyone starts to feel more and more sick of the guy. Movie also creates a opportune circumstances for another murder which the main character commits. Don't expect a great depth from this film.

The dramaturgy is interesting because from the first look it seems interesting and the level of thrill gets higher, after the first murder, the movie loses it's edge - what a boring flick it is! Also, the movie is a way too long one - much shorter would have done the trick. The ending is awful as what.

Movie is also a bit subjective since it recommends murder as a possible escape path for a situation in what the main character finds himself in the beginning - a stepfather who cannot control his drinking and just happens to be a nasty guy.

Good things in the movie is the great screenplay and very nice scenes. Music wasn't so bad either. I will certainly take a look if the director of this film has done anything better - very likely has.