October 14, 2008
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My left foot.Despite the fact that I've seen Takashi Miike's 1999 genre masterpiece Audition more times than I'll ever care to admit -- it is, after all, my favorite horror flick -- the film still has an eerie hold over me that I cannot readily explain. Does the picture's strength lie within the story's sudden shift into hallucinatory horror during its bleak, uncompromising final act? The uncanny power of Eihi Shiina's subtly unnerving performance? The almost detached nature in which we, the audience, watch this horrifying scenario unfold? In reality, it's all of these things and more, delivered with steadied, skillful direction from Miike, a man whose name has almost become synonymous with brutally disturbing cinema. And while a few of his trademark freak-outs can be found here, the amount of on-screen carnage is smartly kept to a dull roar. It's the context of these scenes that those final moments so uncomfortable to watch, even when you know exactly what's lurking around the proverbial corner. Audition changed the way I look at horror movies, forever altering my expectations from the genre as a whole. How can a simple story about a widower looking for love radically change a person's point of view? The answer's in the bag near the phone.
Recipe For Success: Daisuke Tengan's Script + A Length Of Piano Wire + One Carpet, Pulled From Beneath Your Feet
Your Tongue Is Sensitive: Don't stick sharp objects through it all by yourself, okay?
Let your lady handle it.
3 Spasms:
Wow, two for two. Audition is on my 31 Horror Movies in 31 Days list as well. I've heard so many crazy, nasty things about this movie and haven't gathered up the courage to watch it yet. That's how it made the list. If your next review is for Repulsion I may have you arrested for hacking into my computer.
Nice. Loved it too!
This was my introduction to Miike and I still consider it his best work. Nice review. I should watch it again, it's been years.
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