The Flower Flute Murders

Straight into exposition, with narration throughout that's kind of too high in the audio mix. Immediate instances of jaunty or melodramatic modern music. Astounding direct, forthright writing, in every capacity, and swift pacing. Transparently modern, bare-faced, unsubtle sensibilities about acting, direction, cinematography, and otherwise presentation that definitively heighten the sense of contrivance. Yes, this is definitely a TV movie. No, it is not a jidaigeki that shares anything meaningful in common with celebrated classics from the likes of Kurosawa Akira, Kobayashi Masaki, Mizoguchi Kenji, or their contemporaries. A content warning is also necessary for those who experience misophonia; even if you've never before been specifically aggravated by the sounds of someone eating, chewing, and especially talking with their mouth full of food, you will be after this. Frankly these all seem like significant hurdles even within only the first ten minutes. Supposing one can get past them, though, maybe we can nevertheless enjoy 'The flower flute murders' and see what screenwriter Hoshikawa Seiji and filmmaker Onoda Yoshiki have in store for us. Or not; I'm not the boss of you.

So how is it, actually? Well, the dialogue and scene writing are clunky and straightforward to the point of being distracting shortcomings, if not also sometimes just thoughtless or sloppy, and this includes the narration. The narrative borrows liberally from the tropes of modern-day detective shows and applies them, often quite emptily, to the Edo period of Japan. Whatever conceivable value we might find in that arrangement, the plot isn't abjectly bad, but nor is it particularly convincing; one is apt to continue watching not out of concrete investment, but only general curiosity. The indicated modern sensibilities we see herein in many regards are already commonly tiresome in fare of a contemporary setting; applied to a piece with a period setting, they arguably wear thin even more quickly. I can also do without the various melodramatic flourishes. Now, as is typically the case with the genre, we can say easily enough that the filming locations and sets are beautiful, and that the costume design, hair, and makeup received fine attention. I like the use of lighting, too! Save for how they are impacted by the stated modern sensibilities of film-making and storytelling, I do appreciate the stunts, effects, and bursts of action. Only - we can also get such facets elsewhere, no?

The plot bears serviceable ideas with a growing murder mystery that weaves together specially crafted flutes, autumn flowers, and a past crime. It's not always a very sure-footed plot, however, and the development thereof is if anything even more questionable; I'm unclear how or why protagonist Genshiro finds himself at some locations. So what lasting value is there in the picture? It's not awful. It does provide entertainment in some measure. We do get what we came for, and if you're looking for something that neither requires nor inspires active engagement, this is lightly suitable as something to pass the time on a quiet, lazy day. Some little inclusions are more well done than others, and where the modern sensibilities are reined in I'm able to more plainly admire the construction. Is that enough? Not for a recommendation of any notable strength, no, but if you do happen to come across it, and if you aren't driven in the moment to specifically watch anything else, there are worse ways to spend ninety-minutes. Take that as you will. Why, maybe I'm being too harsh! Then again, it's also possible I'm being too kind. Either way, definitely don't go out of your way for 'The flower flute murders,' but provided you don't object too much to the many broad weaknesses, it adequately serves its purpose.