(1998)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER (Jan 2005) DIRECTED BY-SHINYA TSUKAMOTO CAST-HISASHI IGAWA, SHINYA TSUKAMOTO, SUJIN KIM, KIRINA MANO, TAKAHIRO MURASE, TATSUYA NAKAMURA and KYOKA SUZUKI. SOURCE-ARTSMAGIC US REGION 1 NTSC DVD (2005) FEATURE- 87 MINUTES
Director Shinya Tsukamoto is best known for his surreal visions that have produced such classics as TETSUO and TOKYO FIST along with starring in many cult favorites as ICHI THE KILLER and of course several of his own films. He continues his artful approach in his 1998 film BULLET BALLET. Though filmed entirely in black and white Tsukamoto paints a grey surrealistic picture that comes to an ultimately colorful bloody ending. He spins a tale of a wealthy businessman who finds his wife dead after she commits suicide by shooting herself. His life changes forever as it becomes consumed with finds out how this came to be. Where did she get the weapon of choice from, who gave it to her and why did she do it. All answers lead him to s small time group of hoodlums.
The first half of BULLET BALLET you find yourself in the middle of a relentless search to find the gun. After many failed attempts, he finally gets his wish, the gun. In about a span of 45 minutes or so, the atmosphere though being very surreal for the most part, it is also raw and very intense. You are subjected to the perfect example of how a person who is affected so much by a loved one’s death, that they would do anything in the power just to find the answers. Of course in most cases that means revenge, but in BULLET BALLET, Tsukamoto only hints at that aspect. He drives deeper into the human psyche and pulls out the hidden elements that go with such an event. So everything flows completely smooth, but the camera tells another story. The second half of the films tends to stray away from all those elements in the first half, given it a lesser effective edge. None the less it all pans out in the end.
Once again BULLET BALLET is much like many of Tsukamoto’s other works, where acting is a lesser evil to the rest of the film. He draws the viewers attention to a more elaborate element and that being overall situations. Where most directors give an actor the stage to give the performance of he or she’s career, Tsukamoto gives all that energy and converts it into scenes. The visuals are the most important aspect in which much of this is. There are a few time lapsed scenes that really give BULLET BALLET a real contorted feel without really spilling a lot of blood and guts to do so. All is done with such professionalism and artful tastes. This is not to steal any thunder from a great cast though, for there are plenty of great performances given here. The main character of Goda played by none other then Tsukamoto himself. His performance is much like his vision behind the camera as the director, he really does a wonderful job displaying the real stresses Goda goes through during and after his discovery of his girlfriend’s suicide. Both physically and mentally, he totally engrosses the character in every aspect.
The Artsmagic release of BULLET BALLET is the latest example of how they are continuously improving with each new release. Not to say they current stuff as anything to trash, cause it certainly isn’t by a longshot! Visually and sound wise, BULLET BALLET is quick good. Visually, you are treated to a crystal clear black and white anamorphic wide-screen print that is a sharp as they come. Sound wise, BULLET is presented in it’s original Japanese audio, which is in Dolby Digital surround with removable English subtitles. You may also listen to Tom Mes’ audio commentary throughout the film as well. Like usual, Tom displays the very reasons why he is an expert in this field. Sharing his vast knowledge on not just BULLET BALLET, but on the Japanese culture as well. It is again a very highly educating commentary as all of his past efforts have been as well.
The special features start with bios on the director Shinya Tsukamoto and some of BULLET’S actors. You are then treated to a very lengthy interview with Tsukamoto, where he discusses everything in detail on the making of BULLET BALLET as well as many of his other films. There are also two original trailers to watch, one being a stand-alone trailer from Japan, the other a promotional trailer from Japan. All in cased with a greatly designed cover.
STORY- 3.5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE- 4 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO- 3 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS- 3.5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL- 3.5 BITCH SLAPS For more info on this DVD visit Artsmagic.
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