The Forest of Love

Graphic violence, teenage characters, characters who are filmmakers, intense themes of suicide/self-harm, a plot that spans numerous genres, and unflinching looks at non-traditional (for lack of a better word) sexuality?

Yep, it's a Sion Sono film alright.

I worry for the guy sometimes, to be honest. I've said it before and I thought it again while watching this- so many of his films feel like cries for help, owing to just how psychologically tortured his characters are, and how disturbing the subject matter gets. It's reminiscent of dark films like Polanski's Macbeth and Chinatown; both made in the early 70s when he was trying to process the grief caused by wife Sharon Tate's brutal murder.

On the topic of The Forest of Love, though: I think this one covered a little too much familiar ground for me to call it one of his better efforts.

I also am continually frustrated by how his films alternate between looking beautiful and amateurish, sometimes from shot to shot.

But hey, it's unique, it's at he very least interesting, and I was mostly engaged for most of its runtime, so I still can't call it bad.

It also contains what must objectively be the most graphic "disposing of a body" scene I've ever seen (as a word of warning to anyone squeamish who may be contemplating watching this film).

Sion Sono is a director whom I respect immensely. Much like Takashi Miike, Sono is incredibly prolific, and his films, even when they aren't great, are always incredibly entertaining. Both Sono and Miike's films run the gamut as far as genre- they flit back and forth easily from mystery/thrillers (Sono- "Suicide Club", Miike- "Ichi the Killer") to sci-fi (Sono- "Tag", Miike- "As the Gods Will") to horror (Sono- "Cold Fish", Miike- "Audition") to comedy (Sono- "Love, Exposure", Miike- "The Happiness of the Katakuris") and every genre in between. While I really enjoy films from both directors, recently, it's been Sono's work that I've been most drawn to. Sono's films are bizarre, violent, and sometimes hilarious dips into cinema, and every time I watch one of his films I honestly can't predict what will happen next.

"The Forest of Love" is based on a (somewhat) true story. I say somewhat because the events that are depicted in this film did happen, but not in the totally bonkers way they are portrayed here. Sono stylizes his violence as much as Tarantino does in "Kill Bill Vol 1", and while there might not as high of a body count, the amount of gore that Sono gleefully throws at the viewer makes it difficult to think of the victims as... well, victims. The way Sono kills people off in this film feels as if it would be far more at home in a Dario Argento giallo film ("Deep Red" or "Tenebre") than it does in a biopic about a cult of personality gone awry. I had to keep reminding myself that these were real people, and some of the events they went through were incredibly disturbing. In a way, it's weird to watch this film when it clearly finds joy in depicting some of the more graphic details of this murder spree. Usually, films that depict horrific events like this do so with a bit of reverence for the victims, and this film is anything but reverent, and that tone takes a bit of getting used to.

In certain ways this film reminds me of Bong Joon Ho's "Parasite"....except "The Forest of Love" is that film on acid and punk rock.

The two films share a heavy social critique of their respective societies...both with a mixture of black comedy and drama. However, where Parasite feels more restrained and refined this film is pedal to the metal excess...almost 3 whole hours of increasing amounts of sex and violence. The pace of the story and characters is hilariously illogical (on purpose) at times...while their plot is both heartbreaking and despicable. The most important part for me was that for every moment in which I wondered "duuude (and duudeettes) what am I watching?" I wanted to keep watching until the end. To paraphrase another reviewer...it's not perfect...but it's certainly not forgettable.

I haven't seen any of this director's other films, but it's clear he had a distinct style for this film that I have never seen before . The insanity is very well executed. In lesser hands a film like this would have fallen completely apart. It's a very unique film that I'd encourage people who like movies to watch. However, it's definitely not for kids or someone who may be having suicidal thoughts.

Sono Sion is a prolific filmmaker. Ergo they can't all be hits. This one is deck definitely a miss. The lack of story is not conducive to the film's 2 hours and 40 minute runtime. The cinematography is not on par with his other films (ie: Cold Fish). The ending is also very disappointing. If you haven't seen any of his films, I recommend starting with Suicide Circle. Cold Fish and Why Don't You Play in Hell? are also good in different ways.

...I decided to write something regarding the 1 and 2 stars that others put. For what I read they do not aware of Sono s films and style. They do not understand Japanese pop culture too. How they can go to a film so blinded and then let a comment here as they kno w something about that type of cinema? I prefer to not comment about the plot but as mentioned is inspired in a serial killer from the late 90s. -The films is long; longer than most Japanese ones but maintain the expectations. Actors are pretty good in their rolls. Color palette and tense music are spot on.