Tôkyô Dekameron

The title of this is "Tokyo Decameron", which would seem to tie it to the bawdy medieval morality tales associated with Italian author Boccaccio (and later adapted to the screen by Italian directors like Pier Paolo Passolini). However, aside from consisting of three separate stories this has nothing in common with Bocaccio or Pasolini's "Decameron". It's more of a modern-day Japanese cross between the Marquis de Sade at his silliest and a very low-rent, shot-on-video version of Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction".

The first story is about two lesbians, one submissive and one dominant, both named "Mariko". When the submissive "Marko A." becomes involved with a man, her jealous dominant lover "Mariko B." takes revenge. But there is an ironic twist. The second story involves four depraved bisexual women who catch a young girl shoplifting and force her to be their "maid". They dress her in an ass-baring maid's uniform, force her to wear a dog collar and eat out of a dog dish, and at one point even make her serve as a flower "vase"(apparently the penalty for shoplifting must be VERY harsh in Japan for the girl to put up with this kind of abuse to avoid being turned in to the cops). Eventually though, she takes revenge. The last story is about a young stripper taking revenge on a man who she believes participated in the gang-rape of her older sister.

As any kind of serious movie this SOV effort is pretty lame, but there is a certain titillation factor here, of course. But while there are plenty of pretty, naked Japanese girls on display, many may not go for some of the perversions this movie shamelessly wallows in. There's nothing wrong with lesbianism (although it's pretty standard stuff), and the S and M is generally more silly than disturbing, but still I don't think most people want to see blood (even obviously fake blood)in their softcore porn flicks. There are a few other very questionable perversions on display here (asphyxiation, "adult babies", etc.).

The good news is the Japanese are still making the kind of sleazy, degenerate crap popular in the 1970's in Europe and in American "grindhouses". But, depending on your point of view that also may be the bad news.

This is three separate unrelated stories. The only relation is each story has at least one strong woman character. No relation to the original Decameron.

The first story is two women named Mariko and several young men. One Mariko is subservient to the other. There's not a lot of substance to this one. The weakest by far.

The second story is excellent with both substance and some depth. Worth the price of admission by itself. A group of young women (I think all lesbians but not sure) who live together. Another young woman is caught stealing from one of the woman's jewelry store and instead of turning her into the police, is brought home to become their slave. That's all I'll give away except it becomes a bit of a whodunnit and a bit more.

The last story concerns a man that loses his job because of his drinking. He later encounters a street barker that directs him to a house of women and meets a woman he thinks he'll overcome his impotence with. It's the connection & interaction between the two that takes the rest of the story, all in one single scene. Not as well written as the second story but still good.

The acting ranges from mediocre to outstanding. The direction is very good. It is obvious this was filmed on a limited budget but it was all the movie needed. There is some limited nudity though only bare breasts. A few sex scenes that are very short and not explicit.

If you skip the first story this film would probably rate an 8 or 9 out of 10. Still, a very good movie.