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Overall Rating : 8/10
Directed By : Takashi Miike
Billy Drago (The Hills Have Eyes (2006) )
Youki Kudoh (Memoirs of a Geisha)
Michie Itô
Toshie Negishi
Supplied By : Anchor Bay Entertainment
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Sept. 25, 2006
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| PLOT n 19th century Japan, an American journalist searches for the prostitute he’d loved and left behind years earlier. But on an island where demons and whores rule the night, a deformed courtesan awaits with a tale of extreme cruelty and perverse vengeance.What follows is an unspeakable orgy of torment and depravity, where the lusts of the damned will inflict wounds that remain forever. |
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| THE REVIEW In this episode that was banned from it's American Television airing, a love sick journalist travels back to Japan to retrieve the young woman, Komomo, that he fell in love with and promised to take back to America years prior. Since last seeing her, Christopher learns that Komomo is now living on an island and has taken up prostitution. When he arrives on the island he is quick to notice that the prostitutes roam free and something is very awkward about the place. When put up in a room for the night, Christopher is appointed a young woman to "show him a good time". He begins questioning the young woman of the whereabouts of his beloved Komomo, and she states that she does know her and that she has died, via suicide. Chris in all disbelief refuses to believe her and demands an explanation, from there, Horror master Takashi Miike, weaves a tale that includes torture, incest and abortion.... did Komomo die of an "innocent" suicide or was it something so much sadistic, it will definitely keep you on your toes. This entry into the acclaimed Masters of Horror series, is probably the most talked about of the lot that aired in it's inaugural season do to the fact that it was banned by the network that houses the series. The banning of this episode is a bit hypocritical to me, the show is called "Masters Of Horror" is it not? The show is supposed to let the masters do what they do best and show us just why they are deemed such, but as soon as one, goes a little out of bounds... Showtime pulls the plug. well then, here's a word of advice to Mick Garris, name your show to "Masters Of PG-13 Horror" and you should be fine. Honestly, what I believe to be Showtime's mission with this series is have a weekly program that delivers mainstream Horror to the "remake generation" and not to an older generation, because some of us long time Horror fans like a well written story with ultra realistic subject matter. Now to answer the question everyone likely to read this review will have, is it THAT shocking? My answer would be yes, but it's not like it is so shocking that it will render me no sleep for the next week - it is more like the shock that makes you want to watch it over and over again. This is without question something that I could definitely see myself watching again, simply for it's twisted nature, it has many things that make you, cringe, smile and ultimately look away from. One cringing moment was the inhumane torture of Komomo, I mean, geez the body is just not meant to be contorted in such a way, I was really hurting during this scene - although I could not look away as the filmmakers had beautifully crafted it. It is safe to say that a torture scene like this has never happened and is likely never to happen on any form of US TV - but as extreme as it seems I think Showtime gave this film the red flag for other reasons. The young woman, tells the story of her Mother being a birth specialist in the remote village in which they live - within the story multiple abortions are shown in incredible graphic detail. The newborns are aborted, extracted and then later disposed of in the river nearby, like this weeks trash....I found it rather disturbing myself and perhaps the Showtime bigwigs did as well, but I am not against what this film displays as I see it as Miike's own right to free artistic expression....some people are just too uptight about everything. This fine piece of art, boasts some great performances. My favorite performance would have to be that of the awesomely talented Billy Drago. I just love Billy, he is one of those character actors, that no matter what role, big or small, he always seems to leave an impression - I mean his rather tiny role in the HILLS HAVE EYES remake is still one that I remember the most. Here, he brings to us a character that is sincere and real... Drago has a way of making the Character of Christopher believable in the since that you feel sorry for his loss - the performance is so brilliant that I had a smile on my face throughout most of his dialogue in the film. Youki Kudoh, of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, stars as the young woman whom rooms with Christopher for the night(her name is name given - at least not that I heard). Youki gives a performance that blends well with Drago's, At first her character possesses an innocent that closely matches that of Christopher's, but towards mid film, Kudoh is able to make a complete transformation into a completely different person, so in a way she is playing multiple characters here. Honorable mention goes to Michie as the doomed Komomo, The torture scenes are executed to the realest extent and they work do to in part of the performance of Michie,her performance had the viewer thanking their God that it was not them..... Is this the most shocking film I have ever seen? No, but it is one that people will never forget. One of the most beautiful short films I have ever seen? Yes, yes it most certainly it is. It is quite humbling that someone's work of art can be seen in the way the artist intended, thanks to DVD. In my opinion, IMPRINT is a brilliant display of freedom and expression by a very talented director in Takashi Miike and should not be looked over! |
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| GORE
METER 7/10 Great, great stuff, torture and gruesome abortion.... the torture is almost like "Smell-O-Vision", you can almost feel it. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 4/10 Honestly I do not remember much of the accompanying music, because I was too fixated on what I was watching, but from what I remember it has oriental flavor (as it should be) and is very creepily atmospheric. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM After seeing IMPRINT, all I can think is "Imagine the ratings this would have brought in for Showtime" but then again, for as many ratings would have amounted in double the complaints. With this it is clearly apparent that Mr. Miike is one of the most creative people in the world today, and his art form is not hindered by any boundaries. I believe that Masters Of Horror is just a means to popularize and make Horror hip, rather than appreciate it, instead of getting a Horror master at his best, you get him with one hand tied behind his back.... Fortunately Takashi Miike will not be tied, I know a lot of people will want to check out this film, and if it will improve that probability, I highly recommend IMPRINT to you all! This DVD will be available on September 26, 2006 |
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