Les amants sacrifiés

'Wife Of A Spy (2020)' is a historical thriller in which a woman begins to suspect her husband is hiding something when he returns from a business trip. Set during the second world war, the flick focuses on the way in which Japan is changing and demands its citizens do the same. The central character initially cares only for her own safety and happiness (which includes the safety and happiness of her husband), but soon becomes to realise that it's impossible to remain apolitical in an increasingly political world. War cannot be ignored, no matter how hard you try. Though it may sound like a suspenseful story full of enigmatic intrigue, the narrative actually presents itself mostly as a quiet drama. It focuses far more on its characters than on its plot, though these elements do obviously influence each other heavily, and is much slower than you may expect. Claims that it's Kurosawa's attempt at Hitchcock seem slightly off the mark. That doesn't mean it's bad, of course. It's generally compelling and has moments of more concentrated excitement. Plus, its overall tapestry is fairly tactile and it takes a slightly distinct approach to its material. It doesn't seem to quite know how to wrap things up, opting to present an extended epilogue that feels fairly baggy and even a little thematically dissonant. The English-language acting, as infrequent as it is, is noticeably bad; it honestly takes you out of the experience. Despite its issues, though, it's an entertaining affair overall. It's a well-achieved film in almost every technical aspect. Ultimately, it's a solid character study by way of a WWII espionage thriller.

"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.

Considering it's seemingly cheap, it's still a very enjoyable piece. Direction, screenplay, footage and actings are greatly done and the plot is unusual and surprising, although threre are some gaps that could be better elucidated it's solid enough.

And end with an even longer cry. The story though might be interresting, but not exactly as exciting as could be.its made in a japanese customly humble and cultural driven manner, and very theatrical in its execution. Its a fingerpinchsize of a daring topic to raise, namely the years before ww2 japan, where manchuria was the battle field, the nipponese fascism near its summit, and where spies operated everywhere and upon everyone. Being a wife to a spy is a dire choice of existece, and when you dont know what to believe, even from your right hand side, then tragedy is pretty near.

Its a pretty classical japanese production on a tv broadcaster budget, its pretty rigid on outdoor scenes, and plentyfilled with tears and agony. Some historical images there are but not of the cruel stuff. There are no sex and nudity, barely a kiss to see, but drama youll get if you want that. The grumpy old man had expected more due to norwegian broadcaster nrk's ''the film police'' review.

Women as the background entity in the man's world. Conflicts in the world and your life both are equally capable to destroy your life. But too long for my liking, very slow and disoriented in the start but I believe director had his reasons. Some scenes are very well directed and acted. You can feel them. The story is bit open at start and gets all wrapped up in the final act. Acting and cinematography are the two take aways from this movie.