Jisatsu manyuaru

A very disturbing Japanese picture concerning the suicide of the youth. Hard really to no what to say about it really but it's distressing to know, there is quite a large section of the Japanese community (mostly very young), that gravitate towards such darkness. A film possibly for a Japanese audience only.

The film's main failure is that it has no real point of interest. No character is fleshed out enough for us to care, and the events are in full flow as soon as the film gets started. The danger here is that these are fictional events that we are not familiar with. Unlike a war film, where we can register some immediate context. This is a serious attempt to tackle the increasing numbers of suicide in Japan. However, its supernatural and creepy atmosphere puts it far from being taken seriously. The film is also very insular, keeping the focus on a pair of journalists that rarely seem excited to be a part of such a bizarre series of events. Other bits of the film are just filled with "How to kill yourself" segments. I'd recommend Suicide Club over this, as that just goes all out.

Jisatsu Manyuaru or The Suicide Manual is a very atmospheric and slow paced Japanese movie with some surreal elements. Even though the movie is rather cheap, the simplistic approach fits well to the topic. The camera work is cold and simple, the lighting effects are dimmed down, the dialogues are slow and emotionless, the acting is repetitive and not quite intriguing and the few special effects are mediocre and uncreative. I guess that the negative and depressive flow was intended by the makers of the movie and even though it's hard to sit through the entire feature, I must admit that the result is artistically convincing. There are also a few positive elements in the movie as the music, the more emotional moments and the slightly weird ending. The mysterious story is nothing innovating but enough to keep you guessing until the end.

This movie is about a new phenomenon of mass suicide in Japan at the time which is a real life problem of the society and this feature mixes true facts with fantastic elements and a message that is made clear from the beginning on: suicide is not a solution. Somehow, the attempt of this positive message is though failed. The movie is so dark, depressive and grey that it's definitely not beautiful to watch for disturbed hearts, minds and souls and might evoke a rather suicidal than anti-suicidal feeling. I can't say that it was a joy to watch the movie but it was definitely worth the experience and one realizes how beautiful the real life is after seeing such a movie about bullying, dying and suffering.

In the end, if you like really dark and slow psycho thriller or if you are used to weird Asian cinema, you can give this movie a fair chance. Make sure to loan this flick or watch it online before you buy it because it's not the kind of flick everybody might appreciate and watch several times. Anybody else should even avoid this movie at all costs in my humble opinion and had for a different movie about the same topic.

As much as I enjoy Japanese cinema, then it is just not realistic to think that every single movie will be good. And "The Suicide Manual" (aka "Jisatsu manyuaru") was a massive swing and a miss. I only made it 35 minutes into the movie before I had to turn it off as I was risking suicide if I was to continue to be exposed to more of it. It was without a doubt one of the most boring and unappealing Japanese movies I have stumbled upon in a long, long time.

The story was utter nonsense, seeming like a myriad of different fragments that director Osamu Fukutani attempted to piece together like a puzzle, but failed most miserably.

The characters in the movie were as dull and unappealing as the rest of the movie, and you never really buy into any of them as being actual persons with characteristics or personalities, as they were lacking depth. They were essentially just cardboard cutouts.

I have no intention of returning to finish this movie ever. It already took away 35 minutes of my life. If you enjoy Japanese movies then stay well clear of "The Suicide Manual".

This Japanese film is set in a small city where there has been a spate of group suicides. Yuu and Rie, journalists for a local television station, have been tasked with producing a report following the latest incident. While at the location they meet a girl who tells them that she was meant to be part of the group but couldn't go through with it as 'Rickie' didn't turn up. It turns out Rickie is a woman who spoke to people online, encouraging them to go through with suicide plans... she also produced a DVD suicide manual. She gives a copy of the DVD to Yuu and he watches; it shows a variety of methods as well as warning of the possible problems if you fail. The research also takes them to a Buddhist shrine where they that the spirits of those who kill themselves go on to drive others to suicide. As the investigation continues Yuu starts to feel suicidal and more people who have contacted Rickie die.

This is a hard film for categorise. When I picked up the DVD I thought it was going to be a horror movie; there are elements of horror in it but it isn't really a horror film. Yuu and Rie's investigation is shown in a very matter of fact way; these characters are not dynamic... and deliberately so. The way suicides are shown is quite shocking; particularly that of somebody jumping from a building... there is silence followed by an horrific, dull thud. Given the topic it isn't surprising that this is fairly depressing at times, it gets more so as the film progresses... which seems at odds with the on screen message at the start saying the story is to discourage suicide. The acting is nicely low key which suits the natural feel of the film. Overall I'm not sure who I'd recommend this due to its subject matter and depressing tone; if you are looking for something different and enjoy Japanese cinema it is worth a go.

These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.