One of the most notorious films of recent years, this piece of Japanese insanity is from the man who brought us AUDITION, Takashi Miike. But while AUDITION was a slow-paced psychological thriller with an unforgettable climax, from the very start ICHI THE KILLER makes for disturbing viewing. This is violence at its nastiest and most sadistic; the characters have little or no redeeming qualities and only the strongest of stomachs are advised to watch. The BBFC cut out close to five minutes of sexual violence for this film's UK release and for once, I'm glad; violence against men is one thing, but this kind of stuff against women? No thanks.
Anyway, the film is very well made indeed, that's undeniable. Miike's camera-work is kinetic and fluid, investing the whole film with a kind of jumpy drug-fuelled excitement. The acting is also of a high calibre, particularly Tadanobu Asano's torturer, Kakihara. It's his film more than it is Ichi's, and he really shines. That's not to say the other actors aren't also very good in all of their different roles, because they are.
Of course, this film is slimly plotted and for the most part it's a series of violent scenes, ranging from torture (with hooks and boiling water) to people mutilating themselves, massacres, and much, much more. I enjoyed the way the various plot threads come together as the story progresses, and there's a weird climax that'll leave you scratching your head wondering what just happened. The black humour, spread liberally throughout, also makes things that bit easier to bear. ICHI THE KILLER is a unique and highly original film, a piece of violent art, and horror fans will no doubt enjoy the on-screen carnage. Me, I liked it, but it's not something I think I could sit through a second time.
Anyway, the film is very well made indeed, that's undeniable. Miike's camera-work is kinetic and fluid, investing the whole film with a kind of jumpy drug-fuelled excitement. The acting is also of a high calibre, particularly Tadanobu Asano's torturer, Kakihara. It's his film more than it is Ichi's, and he really shines. That's not to say the other actors aren't also very good in all of their different roles, because they are.
Of course, this film is slimly plotted and for the most part it's a series of violent scenes, ranging from torture (with hooks and boiling water) to people mutilating themselves, massacres, and much, much more. I enjoyed the way the various plot threads come together as the story progresses, and there's a weird climax that'll leave you scratching your head wondering what just happened. The black humour, spread liberally throughout, also makes things that bit easier to bear. ICHI THE KILLER is a unique and highly original film, a piece of violent art, and horror fans will no doubt enjoy the on-screen carnage. Me, I liked it, but it's not something I think I could sit through a second time.