I love Asian cinema and have seen quite a few Japanese films. And, in this case, I just can't agree with how others felt about this particular film. This is, I guess, a technically well-made film compared to all the others. The camera-work and sound and all that are just fine. But, even with decent production values, I just can't recommend this film because it's just so oppressively grim and unpleasant and I can't see much purpose to viewing it other than to learn how terrible life could be at that time. While this sort of grimness is not a problem with some films, such as SCHINDLER'S LIST, I just can't see any reason why anyone would want to see this mess. The story is about post-war Japan and a small part of Tokyo that has degenerated into a "dog eat dog" world of pimps, prostitutes and thieves. It shows their day to day lives and the awfulness of the human spirit, and while I am a bit of a pessimist myself at times, I can't see why I'd want to subject myself to this unpleasant mess. I know there are terrible people in the world, but can't see why this merits a film about them.
Review of Gate of Flesh
