2LDK

I caught this at a double bill showing with another film, and truthfully watching this film is amongst the best joys I've had for a long while. Film centres round two ambitious girls one night in their shared flat who are aiming for the same sole role in a film. The girls are like chalk and cheese together, yet they appear to grudgingly tolerate each other at first, although each dislikes the other intensely and try to tease and annoy the other subtly. But as the tension gets cranked and the stress levels rise, the Chinese wall between them comes down and the rivalry becomes physical.

The action comes thick and fast in this not overly long film, but the acting is wonderful from the two girls, and the dialogue is sharp. Frighteningly, it is as real as life itself and will remind many (including myself!) of what it is truly like living with others (its not like "Friends"). This film is like a proverbial brick being thrown at your head, but it is fun, like a "Tom and Jerry" movie with humans in many ways.

Compared to many films coming from the Asian extreme range, this is a little dilute in comparison, so if you are curious about them, yet don't think you can stomach the stronger themed films, then this is a great entry point. Wicked fun, yet violent at times, but you will certainly be entertained. A cool night out! No classic, but very worthy of attention, and I will definitely be looking out for the directors future work as it comes out.

In essence this is a very simplistic and minimalistic movie. It's entirely set inside one apartment and only 2 actresses can be seen on screen. Also the story in its core is very simple and straight-forward but very well- and effectively executed.

The story plays out wonderfully. It's about two young aspiring actresses, who share an apartment and are both in the race for the same role. They clearly don't like each other very much to begin with but they are friendly to each other, since they realize they have to simply put up with each other and make the best of it. They are often tiny annoyances between the two, which should be very recognizable for those who once shared an apartment with another person. However things soon start to escalate more and more between the two.

Because of the extremeness and over-the-top aspects of the movie and its story, you could also really take this movie a comedy. Not that it will make you laugh out loud but the way it's build up and plays out really reminds you of the structure of a comedy. It makes this a very entertaining and pleasant movie to watch.

It's besides well shot by Yukihiko Tsutsumi. You have to remember that the entire movie is set in just one apartment but yet the director manages to never make any of the scene's look alike and the movie also never starts to repeat itself. Granted, that this is also partly due to its very short running time (70 minutes).

A great, short, enjoyable movie to spend some time on.

8/10

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2LDK is an exceptional short film that combines the prodigious talents of two little-known actresses (Maho Nonami and Eiko Koike) with that of a marvelous director (Yukihiko Tsutsumi) in what turns out to be a surprisingly powerful, sometimes hilarious, and always provocative thriller.

I found the first half of the film, in which there is a lot of one-on-one conversation between the two women--combined fluidly with each woman's private thoughts--to be an absolute riot to watch. 2LDK offers marvelous insight into human nature and even the Japanese culture, reminding one that regardless of social conventions few people say what they -really- mean. Nonami and Koike both play their parts extremely well and with complete credibility. Amazingly, the film was shot in only a week's time despite the fact both women developed high fevers during the filming but carried on during the most physically demanding scenes without a break. I also found it fascinating to hear both actresses express having felt a certain amount of real-life animosity and antagonism towards one another during the making of the film. Great stuff.

In the second half of the film things become much darker as niceties are set aside and the two women let their true feelings show. Small disagreements become egregious offenses and events escalate rapidly to a remarkable, if not entirely unpredictable, ending. The 'weapons' the two use against each other are for the most part household items and as such make the battle even more engaging and intense.

I don't believe there is anyone who can't appreciate--or even completely relate with--the feelings both expressed and provoked in 2LDK; if you've ever had to live with someone you didn't much care for but tolerated in the name of keeping the peace--all the while letting your retributive fantasies 'evolve' from time to time--this film is guaranteed to produce plenty of smiles.

Highly recommended.

A movie in the Japanese "Duel" Project, Duel project you might ask?

"Imagine, if you will, two Japanese directors who meet at a film festival, each familiar with (and appreciative of) each other's work. Then imagine a night of binge drinking that leads to the gauntlet being thrown down - a little friendly competition to see who can make the best 'Duel to the Death' film. Then throw in a few rules like 1) The script can contain no more than 2-3 characters 2) The film must be shot in seven days and on a small budget 3) the film can only take place in one setting, and most importantly 4) at least one character must die. Thus, the Duel Project was born. "

The other movie in this project is Aragmi by Ryuhei Kitamura

The movie itself is about two rival actresses sharing a stylish apartment in Tokyo. They have both auditioned for a part in a new big movie and one of them will get it. They are also fighting over a guy named Takuya.

The movie itself takes place purely in the apartment with only two actors. But it never gets boring. The acting is surprisingly solid from Eiko Koike & Maho Nonami. And camera work and directing is stylish.

The movie is now without flaws, but it's a pretty funny ironic comedy about a rivalry turned bad, very bad. And defintly an enjoyable movie experience.

This movie is different, it's hilarious, yet violent.

I can't recall seeing a movie with a similar story. It's creative, the execution was great and the acting was wonderful, no complaints whatsoever.

Since there's already a summary, I won't get into that, if you're looking for a a movie that will entertain you for in between, this is a good choice, it's pretty short and doesn't make you think all day, but will have you entertained from start to end. Even though it's short, you will be able to 'get to know' the characters quite a bit. Some people I know didn't want to watch it because they were afraid it would be dull and the girls would just 'be there', that's not the case at all though. I totally know with which one I'd want to share an appartement with.

As always: Entertainment: 8/10 Violence: 6.5/10 Sex: 0/10