10/01/07 : Survive Style +5

10/01/07 Survive Style + 5 Director Gen Sekiguchi 2004 ( Japan )

INTERNET REVIEW : Simply stated, Survive Style 5+ is a feast for the eyes. The Japan in this film is one of Swiss-style chalets and pink houses decked out in Christmas lights, with rooms awash in Technicolor rainbows, strewn with the kitsch of a thousand yard sales. Clearly, an incredible amount of time and effort was spent on the design of the film, and it really pays off. And while much of the camerawork can be said to belong to the post-Tarantino school, there's a lot more to the film than style and flash -- certainly enough to justify the two-hour running time (rare for a comedy). Survive Style 5+ is a rare thing -- a black comedy that is justifiably uplifting. A film that on one hand mocks certain genres (particularly the Japanese family drama) while at the same time playing into convention. A violent film with heart, a surreal fantasy brimming with style and originality, and a laugh-out-loud comedy that you can watch again and again.

What I can I say ? Fucking brilliant ..thats what ! The film contains 5 separate story lines that cross into each other at various points and I can honestly say that none of them are disappointing. Visually - its amazing and the attention to detail in the sets, clothes etc are incredible. The character in the first story lives in the most amazing gaff in the world. Each time he returns home the same beautiful woman is waiting to cook him a sumptuous feast before kicking the shit out of him, despite the fact that he keeps killing her and burying her deep in the woods. Supported by a well chosen soundtrack and smart script I cannot fault this film in anyway. If forced to make a choice from all the films viewed so far I might say that this has been my favourite. If you had to categorise it then you would put it on the same shelf as the tarantino films - but it certainly has enough of its own style to make it stand out there alone. A hearty 10/10 !