Karisuma

Charisma was my favorite movie at the Toronto Film Festival. The only film I've ever seen that pondered whether a tree was evil, exceptional, or just another tree. And also wonders about man's attempts to control the natural order.

Another fascinatingly enigmatic film by this unique filmmaker that is bound to enthral and confound in equal measure! A contemplative, profoundly philosophical work that, perhaps, suggests there are indeed more ways to skin the proverbial cat! Detective, Goro Yabuike's (Koji Yakusho) fateful decision to not kill the armed, note-brandishing terrorist proves existentially calamitous! His earnest wish to help both the victim and perpetrator echoes cryptically throughout the dazzling film until its uncommonly powerful conclusion. Kiyoshi Kurosawa's immaculate screenplay is a heady, thought provoking delight, his matchless filmmaking is consistently assured, ably complemented by a no less refined, undeniably soulful performance by the vastly talented, Koji Yakusho. The thoughtful philosopher cop Goro undertaking his seemingly implausible task of having to "Restore the Rules of the World" frequently provides film fans with a wealth of intriguing surrealistic interludes, at times, for me, 'Charisma' occasionally recalled the early, more avant garde experimentation of Fassbinder.

Although Charisma was not my favourite movie at the Rotterdam filmfestival, I liked this new movie from Kurosawa Kiyoshi, because of it's neutral message. It shows various sides of the same story without ever judging. It's up to the viewer to decide what he/she gets out of it. At the same it's never really clear what the plot's about. There are some opinions (battle, nature vs man), but i believe there were several. And again, the viewer can pick up what moved him/her watching this film. To me that is a true accomplishment.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa is one of the most amazing stylists around. I loved his "Cure" for its distanced, analytical camera work - but I'm no fan of that movie's ending. Then I've seen "Kaïro" and was amazed because it had a completely different style. Scary and finally apocalyptic in a way I've never thought it would go. "Charisma" is the third Kurosawa-movie I've seen and again, its style is amazing. Sometimes the camera watches a scene from far away and gives the action a distanced, neutral look. The shots in the forest are amazing. Sometimes green and lush, sometimes misty and foreboding.

But what about that story? I've read many interpretations - that this is an analysis of Japan's society, that this is a neutral (which would fit the style) look at a confrontation of "wrong" and "right". Well, that's all rather intriguing - but no, it doesn't satisfy me at all. Now that I think about it, I'm actually very disappointed by the story. No one in this movie acts rationally which lifts the movie away from reality and lessens its social commentary. It had flashes of brilliance where I clearly saw what Kurosawa was aiming at - but he could not sustain his ideas for the full running time. Sometimes I thought this was a parody and all Kurosawa wants to do in the end is laugh at the viewer who was expecting something that makes sense.

That said, I have to admit that it gives you a lot of thought fodder - just not in any rewarding way. Even if it is a clever commentary on Japan's society, that would not be enough for almost 2 hours. So the only really great thing about this film is its visual glory. I'm still not sure whether I like Kurosawa's movies or not. I certainly won't forget them.

Rating: 6/10

I started watching this film without knowing much about it... and after the final frame.. I can honestly say I still do not know much about it. I've read some of the other comments about this movie from other viewers and each made some interesting comments and observations.

There were surreal elements as well as a very peculiar (and original) premise for a plotline but there's no need for me to re-summarize what's already been said. The pace was too slow IMO and several times I thought it was about to end when another 5 or 10 minutes were tacked on. There were a few shocks and surprises along the way but the sheer length of the movie and it's ambiguous ending renders it hard for me to recommend.

As someone else stated, it does make you think and that is probably what all good films hope to achieve. One would just hope for a clearer thoughtscape to ponder on.