Audition (1999)

Directed by Takashi Miike. Starring Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Jun Kunimura, Tetsu Sawaki, Renji Ishibashi, Toshie Negishi, Ren Ôsugi, Miyuki Matsuda. [R]

Middle-aged Japanese widower Ishibashi is urged to move on with his life, and his film producer friend (Kunimura) even sets up a phony movie audition to “screen test” women and potentially find a suitable soulmate. Enter young Shiina, a shy, demure and obedient specimen that exemplifies the traditional cultural role; they become smitten with one another and everything seems to going swimmingly, but…not so fast. A startling reversal on female objectification and fear of their sexuality and individuality, there’s hardly even a subtle hint in the first forty-five minutes of what’s to come, but then that telephone rings. Director Miike works at diabolical manipulation, but it proves to be an effective tactic even while the tonal imbalance calls reality into question, and he sometimes seems to be taking cheap aim at frenzied shock tactics (even though, by Miike’s standards, this barely even gets a few wiggling piggies over the line). Shiina’s performance is not likely to be forgotten anytime soon, as uncomfortably captivating when quietly doting on a man she thinks can finally love her (and only her) as she is wearing latex gloves and chirping, “Kiri–kiri–kiri–kiri!” Envy those who can come upon this one completely cold, but still be warned that it’s absolutely not for the faint of heart.

81/100