Mandei

This one is definitively stunning. I've already heard about this director, under the pseudonym "Sabu", reading some reviews about his late work "Drive" that I hope to see asap.. In fact, this is a very talented director. "Monday" is a story of mystery, misfortune, hope and strangeness. I think the comment of the director explain clearly what is really "Monday": "I've just decided to do what I wanted to do, and that was ... a comedy, an action film, a painful story, imaginary with a bit of horror and also a "dancing" film very rigorous, intransigent, with much, much, much dancing. I wanted all of these elements to be putted into this movie, I wanted that was full of cynic laughter and also to be less long than 100. I've tried and I made it!" Just watch it!

Two thirds of the movie are filled with grotesque humorous scenes, whereas at end the tone of the movie changes completely and you get a dead serious message delivered. But the good news are: this somehow works. This is brilliant movie and it got to me form the first scenes. I only wished that the two parts where stronger connected. Was there any indication in the first two thirds, that the movie has the subject: "is self defense justified?". No. It was all about palm reading, laughing endlessly and drunk dancing/shooting. I watched the movie now four times, because I can't get enough of the bar scenes. The laughing sequence is the best since Laurel and Hardy's "Fra Diavolo."

The room gets dark, the movie starts and after a short while I thought I knew what kind of movie I was watching. Nothing too fancy. A man awakes in a hotel room, it's Monday and he desperately tries to remember what he as did yesterday. One of those "flashback"-movies you would say, with old fashioned chapters and structure (I think that's why it was compared to a Tarantino movie). But then suddenly something unexpected happens, the movie just changes direction on and on and it's getting interesting. Genre, style and sujet and in the end the movie is an enjoyable mix of various elements, very well combined in my opinion. I'm afraid that for some people the movie might be not straight enough but if you are not completely bored of Japanese cinema I'd recommend to take a closer look on this one.

Wakarimasen deshita....

Any Japanese movie involving alcohol, beautiful Yakuza brides and guns will be a funny ride into the Asian subconscious, and this movie is no exception.

It amalgamates plot elements such as drinking Whisky, hands-free peeing, Yakuza bashing, pacemaker bomb defusing, drinking Whisky, lynching street muggers, Devils, Sprites, an obnoxious but finally sympathetic girlfriend, drinking Whisky, Japanese twist dancing, smoke grenades, drinking Whisky, palm reading, fake laughter and moronic TV talk shows into an adventure of the absurd. A ride into the cesspools of one man's private hell. A blatant appeal against alcohol and weapon abuse, or a devilishly clever satire about modern day Japan and its underworld. Oh...and did I mention drinking Whisky?

If you're a fan of Takeshi Kitano's movie, you will like "Monday".

If you are a fan of Bruce Willis and expect a Japanese "Die Hard", you won't find it funny! But if you're open minded, can appreciate satire for what it really is, then you will enjoy this movie thoroughly!

Takagi is just an average salaryman toiling away in a dead-end job. One fateful Monday, he awakens in a strange hotel room. He has no memory of how he got there. Slowly, he begins to piece together the journey that brought him to the hotel. Takagi discovers he spent the preceding weekend on a violent, absurdist outing as bizarre as it is entertaining. The craziest part: it's not even close to being over yet.

Sabu's 'Monday' is a delightful, off-beat comedy-thriller that plays like Kafka meets Kitano. The relatively simple story- Takagi gets drunk and forgets his weekend- is one of unexpected existentialist depth. The film proceeds as if part of a waking nightmare, where one can't be sure what is really happening and what is imagined, escalating to a fever-pitch of violence and insanity. Sabu's adoption of a non-linear narrative full of flashbacks and alcohol-fuelled hallucinogenic sequences adds to this feeling of heightened unreality. Takagi's is a trip that makes William Lee's in 'Naked Lunch' look positively mundane (particularly near its' conclusion).

The cinematography from Kazuto Sato (going under the name Kazuhiko Sato at the time) is striking work that has a punk-like feel to it. His composition and framing under Sabu's direction is irregular and interesting, making for some memorable shots that are very Lynchian in style. In the latter half of the film, things get very frenetic, and Kumio Onaga's tight editing keeps 'Monday' from getting too out of hand. That said, the sudden tonal shift from dark, existentialist comedy to over-the-top, violent horror in the hindmost part of the film could have been handled in more subtle a manner.

Kenichiro Shibuya's score is unsettlingly funky, juxtaposed effectively with 'Monday's eccentric, occasionally incongruous visuals. His usage of tracks by Tatsuya Oe (better known as Captain Funk) is particularly memorable. Takagi's dance scene in a Yakuza's club is one of the most disconcerting and unforgettable of recent years, utilizing Oe's 'Twist & Shout' to great effect.

Tomoyuki Maruo's production design must also be mentioned, as it is economic, stylish work that makes a lot out of very little. The sets are decorated in an understated manner, just as the costumes are designed in a minimalist fashion. It is impressive work that makes for another significant entry in Maruo's filmography.

Shin'ichi Tsutsumi has starred in at least six of Sabu's films over the years, most recently in 'My Blood & Bones in a Flowing Galaxy' from 2020. 'Monday' may be their finest collaboration, with Tsutsumi delivering a startlingly layered and highly entertaining performance as Takagi. Bordering on delirium borne from alcoholism, Takagi is an intense and wacky character that requires the actor playing him be willing to go to some strange places, performance-wise. Tsutsumi proves to be the right man for the job, bringing to the role levity, bravery and emotional range. It is a powerful piece of acting that will be remembered fondly by any who see 'Monday.'

The supporting cast is filled with talented actors, including the late Ren Ôsugi and the great Susumu Terajima. Though they all have relatively little to do, everyone performs admirably, with a couple being particularly memorable. Akira Yamamoto stars as a dispirited Yakuza boss who befriends Takagi and he has a commanding, introverted screen presence that suits the character most aptly. Yasuko Matsuyuki stars as the Yakuza's moll, and has similar presence that says much without her having to utter a word.

Sabu's 'Monday' is a strange, fun film that is an existential trip through a nightmarish landscape of violence and drunkenness. Unpredictable, often hilarious and occasionally too frantic for its own good, the film is anything but ordinary. Featuring a compelling lead performance from Shin'ichi Tsutsumi and a great score from Kenichiro Shibuya, it's a very memorable and outlandish piece of work. In short- to paraphrase The Bangles- Sabu's film is a lot more than just another manic 'Monday.'