I don't think there's actually any way to prepare for this movie. I don't know if there's any meaningful point of reference to draw upon, either. "New Wave" cinema of the 60s and 70s might somewhat come to mind, though this is less pretentiously self-important, and far more wildly offbeat; more closely approximating the same vibes might be Czechoslovak pictures like Jaromil Jires' 'Valerie and her week of wonders,' or Vera Chytilová's 'Daisies.' It was the films of Gregg Araki that I first thought of (e.g. 'Totally F'ed up,' 'The doom generation,' and especially 'Nowhere') in light of how delightfully bewildering this is in no time at all. And still that doesn't get us very far, as there's truly nothing about 'The story of PuPu' that doesn't feed into that perplexing surrealism. The premise seems simple enough, if itself intriguing, as a tale of two women on a road trip, intending to visit the grave of a pig. Pretty much right from the start, however, we're thrown one curveball after another, and the only certainty throughout these seventy-three minutes is that there's no telling where they are going to go. I can understand how such far-flung fare won't appeal to everyone, but for my part, I think it's a blast! More than that: it's kind of altogether brilliant.
Filmmaker Watanabe Kensaku takes us on a nearly kaleidoscopic joy ride of bizarre irreverence. There is a discrete plot in his screenplay, yet it ranges so far and wide, with ideas so scattered, that it's difficult to completely describe. Many beats throughout are ready-made for the earnest crime drama or thriller that this almost is, with touches of romance all along the way, but instead this largely treads in the space of an oddball dark comedy-drama. Just as much to the point, the thoughts herein are so immensely varied that even something that looks outwardly normal is almost always anything but, and even where the story would temporarily turn more serious it doesn't stay that way. To one degree or another the same peculiar, mirthful flippancy applies to the plot, scene writing, dialogue, and characters, even as they're actively engaging and outright fascinating. It applies to Watanabe's direction, surprisingly tight and focused even as the feature ranges all over the place. The cast give refreshing, vibrant, spirited performances, fully committing to the panoply wherever the mood may turn; Uehara Sakura and Matsuo Reiko may stand out most as chief characters Suzu and Fu, but all their co-stars are truly just as terrific, including Yamanaka Rei, Harada Yoshio, Kunimura Jun, and the others (even filmmaker Suzuki Seijun, in a small supporting part), with acting of welcome, unexpected range and depth.
The stunts and practical effects are superb, and the sound effects sharp. More notable still is the original music of Miyake Jun, flavorful and wonderfully dynamic as it complements the proceedings, and still no less curious. This is to say nothing of Muraishi Naoto's smart yet cheeky cinematography, or Miura Shinji's editing that is itself just plain playful. From how it is written to how it's shot 'The story of Pupu' boasts a giddiness that's as baffling as it is invigorating. And still - still! - the narrative is complete and compelling, with real themes on hand, all while coming full circle. In all sincerity, this is a journey of a viewing experience, but it also demonstrates the remarkable skill and intelligence of Watanabe and all his cast and crew. Frolic to and fro as the title may, there is an underlying shrewdness and wit that bind it all together, with the last fifteen minutes or so just the proverbial icing on the cake. In many ways it may remind us of other movies we've seen, but the sum total is purely a creation all its own, and at that, a quite ingenious one if you ask me. For as off-kilter as this mostly is it may be best suited for a niche audience, yet you're open to all the possibilities that the medium has to offer, 'The story of PuPu' is an intoxicating, very original burst of vitality, and I'm happy to give it my very high, hearty, and enthusiastic recommendation!
