Supai no tsuma

"However, in Kurosawa and Hamaguchi's oriental frame of mind, a spy game doesn't consist of breakneck automobile chases, fisticuffs or firefights, its tradecraft is solely on an intellectual and psychological level, to Satoko and Yusaku, it is about how to outsmart the military police and defect to USA, with kompromat in their possession, to pressurize Americans to wade into the war and expedite the end of this worldwide atrocity. This is the bigger picture, nevertheless, in the smaller one, WIFE OF A SPY is, first and foremost, a woman's awakening from a repressed patriarchal society, Satoko has no voice, no ambition, a content and obedient wife, clinging to the constancy and uxoriousness from Yusaku. Once she changes her mind about his noble cause (all of a sudden it seems), her life is revivified, somehow, she finally can do something meaningful, which they can accomplish together, she becomes naively proud of being "the wife of a spy", and it also consolidates their crumpling marriage, that is the ideal side of their dangerous mission, in return, she is requested to have plenary trust in Yusaku."

read my full review on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks.

I don't know how good country you live in, But want you to remember that someone live in a crazy world that handful hypocrites get all of justices. Do you know how suffocated reality it is that most of the movies released in your country are only praise and glorify the government? From that point of view, the fact that such a movie comes out is a proof that the society and the artist healthy. The last scream of Aoi Yu is the same as someone's scream today who is choked by fascism more than a pandemic. If you are an artist, I think you can feel the same way. Of course, if you're a true artist, not a flattering Lier. Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's films always have a keen message about the world, but this film seems to express a more plain and honest feeling. Although it is a political film, it does not miss a sense of cinematic tension. And Aoi Yu's acting was really as beautiful as her appearance. I feel infinite gratitude for exist of such a film, In a fascist world everyone call themselves justice. Because of these art, I can breathe.

It's an average, feel-good film at best with a very good universal message. How the Jury of Venice 2020 film festival headed by Cate Blanchett bestowed this film with the Best Director Award beats logic. Was it because the lead character was a film director? That must have pleased jury member Joanna Hogg. This incredible jury thought that Konchalovsky did not deserve the Best Director award for "Dear Comrades!" a vastly superior work but instead bestowed it the Jury's Special Prize as a consolation. This same jury gave another below par film from Mexico's Michel Franco called "The New Order" the Grand Jury Prize. The Bosnian film "Quo vadi, Aida?" was overlooked but thankfully it is in the Oscar race. Look closely at the awards and the jury seemed to give some award or other to all the nominees, often having questionable merit. Luckily, for us the Gold Lion went to a deserving work "Nomadland."

The script will make you recall "The Shawshank Redemption" though the tales are in different settings.

"Wife of a spy" is a good vehicle for the Kill Bill 1 and 2 actor Issey Takahashi. Little else.

Four minutes short of two hours, this was a film which made me despise the modern technology used in cinematography. Watch this film to see how the great screenplay, outstanding acting and potential for a masterpiece can be ruined by choosing something you are not fully familiar with, like electronic cameras! Kiyoshi Kurosawa agreed to make a movie on a limited TV broadcaster budget, so that was what we got! A colourless and dull looking cinematography which came half way for everything!

A part of the Japanese history not often visited by the Japanese filmmakers was just touched and never fully explored, slowly dissolving into a personal drama of trust and betrayal...

If you like dull colours, reserved directing, no outdoor scenes and very dark indoor rooms, some agony with few tears, no sex and maybe a kiss, bad acting from foreigners and excellent acting from Yû Aoi and Issey , sit down and prepare your snacks and drinks!

A good portrait of trust and suspicion in the ultra right nationalist period. The film in the film reflects the story of characters, which structure was developed in Ryusuke Hamaguchi's latest film Drive My Car. However, some of the scene is lacking in logic and therefore makes me feel unreal.