Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Love Exposure (2008)
"Love Exposure" (2008) starts off strong in the first hour, with an irreverent and amusing look at religion, perversion, and true love. The film uses using a unique blend of up-skirt photography and martial arts to analyze concepts such as true love, sin and redemption.
However, about an hour into its runtime, the film seems to lose its path and embarks on a three-hour wandering journey, testing the endurance of even the most patient viewer.
The movie's exploration of religion is particularly thought-provoking, raising questions about the implications of confession. If religion encourages you to confess your sins as a pathway to absolution, does it not indirectly inspire more sinning? It's an interesting paradox that adds layers to the film's narrative.
However, the antagonist's overly convoluted scheme to build wealth feels unnecessary and adds to the film's excessive length. The plot, which could have been straightforward, is unnecessarily complex. This not only dilutes the film's core message but also contributes to its exhausting four-hour runtime.
"Love Exposure" could have been an exceptional film if it had been edited down to a more reasonable length. A runtime of 90 to 120 minutes would have allowed the film to maintain its unique blend of themes while keeping the audience engaged. Instead, we are left with a movie that feels overlong and, at times, aimless.
Is the first hour of brilliance worth the next three hours of drudgery? Not really. But the first hour truly is worth watching. I suggest watching the first hour, and then turning to something more entertaining, such as watching paint dry.
- You are uncomfortable with adult and mature themes
- You don't appreciate films with a long duration as it is over 4 hours
- You prefer light-hearted or comedy films as this one is heavy drama and romance
- You are under the age of 18 due to its explicit scenes
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Love Exposure?"I mean, it's a four-hour movie about guilt, religion, perversion, and... upskirt photography? It's like if Alfred Hitchcock, Sigmund Freud, and a teenage boy with a camera phone had a movie-making baby!
And the protagonist, Yu? He's a master at martial arts, a devout catholic and an upskirt photographer? That's a LinkedIn profile you don't see every day. Not sure if he's more likely to save your soul, kick your ass, or take a sneaky picture of your underwear.
Confessions (2010):
From the same country as "Love Exposure," this film is a haunting portrayal of revenge in the backdrop of a middle school setting. Tetsuya Nakashima masterfully directs this thriller, which has won awards internationally for its intense and thought-provoking narrative. It's a must-watch for fans of dark and complex cinema.
Norwegian Wood (2010):Also based in Japan like "Love Exposure," this movie is adapted from Haruki Murakami's international bestselling novel. The film is a beautiful exploration of love and loss. Directed by Tran Anh Hung, this film is both visually engaging and emotionally touching.
I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2006):If you appreciate the combination of romance, comedy, and extraordinary settings as in "Love Exposure," you'd probably love "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK". This South Korean film is directed by Park Chan-wook, a critically acclaimed filmmaker known for his particular cinematographic style. The story is set in a mental hospital and explores love in its unconventional form.
Memories of Matsuko (2006):Written and directed by Tetsuya Nakashima, just like "Love Exposure," "Memories of Matsuko" is an emotional roller coaster that portrays the tragic-life events of a woman named Matsuko. Like "Love Exposure," it is a thoughtful exploration of love, human connections, and the elements which make life worth living.
Oldboy (2003):This is another film by Park Chan-wook that explores themes of revenge, like "Love Exposure," but in a considerably darker tone. It's a thrilling, thought-provoking, and visually astonishing piece of cinema that's been celebrated globally for its unique narrative and style.
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