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In the Realm of the Senses Actors: Tatsuya Fuji, Eiko Matsuda Director: Nagisa Oshima Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Pan & Scan Format: Color Audience Rating: X (Mature Audiences Only) Running Time: 105 minutes Studio: Fox Lorber Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2002-07-23 Buy from Amazon |
 "Get the GOOD version..."The version I bought from Amazon is the more expensive of the two offered (with the "World Classic Cinema" side bar on the front). Imagine my surprise when a Greek friend showed me her version that she got as a freebie from some Greek movie magazine, and the video quality is 10 times better! My full-screen version (which hers isn't) I paid money for looked like somebody hid in the theatre and filmed it with a camcorder. Her free version she got from a magazine is NOT full-screen and has outstanding picture quality. So obviously there must be a better, digitally cleaned-up version out there. I would try to find that one if you can. In the states, they're probably waiting until lots of people buy the fuzzy, grainy version so they can do a second issuing of the DVD with "improved video and never before seen outtakes!" and make the money twice from the poor saps who bought the first one. Now, as for the movie, it's okay. Yes, it verges on porn at times, but compared to the porn I've seen (not a lot, but some), it's way weird to see real acting going on in the same movie. It does an okay job of exploring sexual obsession, but there are a few scenes that seem superfluous to the idea the film is trying to get across. You only have to see the female lead obsessing over her lover's... uh... "pride and joy" so many times to get the idea she's a little off-kilter sexually. Worth watching, but nothing fabulous.  "Serious Minded Erotica......"Nagisa Oshima has achieved what few other directors have managed in dealing with the very touchy subject of sex, in this instance, with sexual obsession. If you plan to watch this movie for a cheap sexual thrill, you will be most disappointed. Oshima has drawn from a real incident reported in a 1936 Japanese newspaper. The film centers around the love between two people expressed physically, graphically, into realms of the senses where few dare to tread. And with good reason. This is a very intense film as it progresses from the attraction of two people through increasing experimentation in an effort not only to express their passion but to try to find the outer most limits of passion itself. Oshima must have had something metaphorical in mind but the journey as chronicled in the film also has retained the feel of the specifics. It's quirkey and eccentric. The backdrop of the story is as interesting as the story itself. It is an amazing spectacle to observe, giving the viewer a perspective on Japanese life not usually rendered but often alluded to in some historical accounts. One wonders what this experience must have been like for the actors. Oshima has managed what I have always believed should be done in order to treat the subject of sex fully and without shrinking from its' less savory aspects. This is serious minded erotica and quite unlike anything else on screen. The only other film I can recall that compares at all is "Taxi Zum Klo" which was autobiographical and starred a number of actual people playing themselves.Obviously a different catagory in that regard from what is going on here, but both films draw much of their power from explicitly sexual scenes without compromising the integrity of the story being told. This is a film experience that should not be missed. "Interesting movie..."I have to say that this movie is most certainly not one for everyone. That's quite obvious from it's NC-17 rating, and the fact that it was banned for quite some time. But aside from that.... It's an interesting movie about obsession and sex. The characters don't really get too deep, and you don't necessarily feel much sympathy for them, but that's part of the point of the film. You're supposed to feel the obsession, and the fact that the two lovers really only ever have sex on their minds, that it's taken over their lives. It's graphic, violent even, with tons of sex... But if you know what you're getting into and can look beyond just the simple act of sex, you might find it a worthwhile movie.  "I'm totally speechless."Apart from the ending, everything in this movie is real. You have to see at least one real movie about love and fatal obsession in your life, and well, that Michael Douglas - Glenn Close movies wont cut it. ( get it - cut it?? ). Anyway, if your quest for erotica doesn't venture past the teletubbies, then it's probably a good idea that you don't see this flick. But if you totally open minded, you will see a movie that was years ahead of it's time. You will never see Erotica with this kind of acting and script ever again. If this is the uncut version, and you're a guy watching it with somebody, I'd suggest you wear thick jeans or bring a pillow, you'll see why.  "Not worthy of a glance!"This was the worst film I have ever seen. I did not find anything erotic in this film. It seemed like if these characters were going to the toliet!! A big disappointment! |
