My objective is not to trash movies here. I realize that other people might very well like what I do not. I really just want to present some options for people and provide some clues as to what to expect.
However, every once in a while it is difficult for me to paint even a partially rosy picture.
I was expecting I Am an S&M Writer to be an erotic farce, based on its simple English description. I was in the mood for something light, charming, humorous, and even a little sexy.
This movie was not very sexy and it was certainly not very funny. And though it may have been planned as something of a farce, it felt too heavy and unpleasant to be fairly described as one.
This movie's premise, supposedly based on an autobiographical book, centers around an unsuccessful author who begins writing erotica as a means of paying the bills. As the movie opens, the writer is already experiencing some success with his sexually explicit publications.
Apparently due to his lack of natural erotic creativity, the author believes he must write his stories as he witnesses staged sexual encounters in his home. These encounters as filmed for the movie are strangely non-erotic.
I kept waiting for the story to turn into something, and it never did. This might be a film that has more to offer when viewed from a Japanese perspective, but I really felt there was nothing of substance here for anyone.
Even the shibari rope bondage scenes were not very intriguing. And don't get your hopes up; there are not too many bondage scenes, and they are not very creative, arousing, humorous, or distinctive.
I came to this movie expecting something lighthearted, and when it was obvious no significant joy or humor was to be found, I at least hoped for some interesting erotic visuals. I was disappointed on all fronts.
This movie might make you afraid to try any more Japanese films that profess to have some sort of sensual content.
Despite my artistic interest in all manner of creative perversions, I should mention that I am also typically disinterested in stories that revolve around the subject of infidelity. This film's Japanese title translates to "Season of Infidelity" and that is a more accurate and appropriate title for the movie. The labeling of the English version I Am an S&M Writer seems like an attempt to plant some automatic curiosity in the minds of people that come across the title. It is not a completely inappropriate title, but sexuality is not really the major theme of this movie. The film is more about an idiot and the destruction of his marriage.
Realistically, I suspect this movie will fall into an “almost unwatchable” category for many who view it, no matter what tastes or interests they bring to the table. I might not have even made it all the way to the end if I did not have the responsibility of writing this review.
Interestingly, the director Ryuichi Hiroki, has apparently received some sort of acclaim for this film and others in Japan. I will watch and review at least one of his other films (not anytime soon though), to give him another chance.
Of course, you may watch this movie and deem it a masterpiece. I just felt I should be honest about my reaction to it. I couldn't find anything significantly redeeming to focus on in this review.
Savage Japan Misc. Tidbits
If you do choose to endure this movie, notice some of the camera movement as well as the lack of it in some shots. It seems very random at times, as if the movement is in there because they happened to have had time to rig a dolly or they just happened to have had access to a camera crane on the days they shot those scenes. Or maybe the director was just simply experimenting, trying to add some “oomph” to the storytelling. This might be a good example of how directors who slave away on storyboards tend to end up with better-crafted films in the end, though I of course have no idea how much preparation went into this movie before shooting.
Also, I believe “long duration” long shots must be used very carefully so as not to be distracting. The well-composed scene in the beach shack restaurant may have been ruined by the director’s infatuation with its beauty. He apparently decided it would be artistically brilliant to stay fixed on that shot “forever.” But ultimately a movie is telling a story, and I think it is dangerous to fall in love with shots too much as the director apparently did in that scene.
These are just little things that stayed in my mind after watching the movie, because I found the content too pointless to stand out over these nit picky observations.
For Japanese Language Students
I really don't advise this movie as a good listening comprehension practice film, simply because it was so unpleasant to watch. Fairly early on I found my mind pondering whether or not I would be able to make it all the way through the film. And then towards the end, I was mostly sitting in my chair thinking about how eager I was for the movie to find some ending, even a stupid ending, so I could stop watching it. And sure enough, eventually a stupid ending was provided.
The film was shot in only a few settings and did not reveal much of the culture of Japan or anything really memorable.
I dislike being so negative in life, even on a review site. This probably ranks as my most negative review to date. I hope I don't encounter too many more Japanese films as unpleasant as this stinker.
Dan Savage
Dan@SavageSnow.com
(not rated by MPAA)
