Taboo
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Movie Reviews of Taboo
Movie Review: Another master piece of Oshima trivializing death and sex
Summary: 4 Stars
Gohatto is the law, or the code. In this magnificent piece from the master of cinema Oshima Nagisa, Gohatto means something like a marshal law. With or without knowledge of the Shinsengumi, the movie offers plenty to viewers who like plots based upon samurai stories. However, instead of the fighting scenes on the battle fields like most of the stereotypical samurai movies, this one is ever so contriving about the human within the samurai with their physical and spiritual projections towards life, death and sex. Kano was portrayed as an utterly handsome youth recruited as a new member of the militia, who was inevitably attracted by a number of other militia members. Whirled within all these conflicting feelings among the wooers, Kano appeared to be composed and cold, with a sole goal towards the "right to kill". Tashiro, the rumored only lover of Kano, was suspected of killing another samurai, Yuzawa, who courted Kano as well and assaulted sergeant Yamazaki. Commando Kondo ordered him to be executed by the hands of Kano with captain Hijikata and lieutenant Soji watching afar. The movie ends with a surreal setting of the wilderness, with drizzling rains and smoky air where Soji and Hijikata exchanged their premise about love among men. Kano was finally able to execute Tashiro and retreated, likely with Soji. With his narration, Hijikata objected the evil behind Kano's beauty which was not only to woo the men in the militia, but also to lead the wish to violate the samurai codes. Stymied a beautifully blossomed cheery tree in one swift swing of his sword, Hijikata's mind was made to crush the beauty so as to preserve the sacred code of samurai.Movie Review: Samurais' gay love and murder
Summary: 4 Stars
This film may be slow for our standards, as we are more related with quick action when thinking about samurais. However, it could be interesting if some previous "clues" are known.
1) Homoerotic relationships were accepted in Japan. It was until the 2nd half of 19th century, when Japan wanted to be cope with Western Culture, that these relationships vanished from public records.
2) Homoerotic relationships followed a cultural and social code, were ranking of those involved -lover, loved and their lord- were as important as the ways to offer your love to another man. Even hairdoes were related to roles (young pages used long locks and were loved-ones, grown-ups used adult hairdoes and were lovers, in the erastes-eromenos model, similar to Greeks). This film is based in that.
3) This film becomes a thriller, as main characters are breaking those rules and some murderers are planned, around a same-sex lovers couple.
4) To understand last scene, we must remember that poetic figure to describe someone beautiful and good is to compare her/him with a cherry blossom. Cutting it down means the guy is not worth admiring.
So, this film is interesting. If you want to read about homoerotics among samurais,look for a colection of short stories written by SAIKAKU IHARA in the 17th century. Those are cute!
Movie Review: Enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie was very enjoyable to watch. There are a lot of layers in the storyline, the scenery is great, the costumes are great, and the acting, especially, is great.
The movie is basically a bunch of psychological examinations of the characters with great sword fighting sequences in the middle (it seems like most of the actors know how to sword fight themselves without stunt doubles). A very intellectually stimulating movie.
DO NOT see this movie if you are interesting in learning about the homosexual community in Japan. The movie is fiction and it certainly does not try to venture into social commentary. The movie does not address social oppression or even how the characters feel about their homosexuality with any remote introspection. That is actually the reason I gave this movie 4 stars instead of 5. It only vaguely awkwardly addresses the aforementioned things in one tiny subplot.
Movie Review: On the edge
Summary: 4 Stars
Along with gorgeous settings, the movie provides an edge of suspense one wouldn't expect. Overall, the film feels like a dream, picks up in various places, only to recede back to a somber pace. The exchanged dialogue really kept me on the edge of my toes, to see if any of the characters knew more than they would tell behind those stoic expressions... >_< However, I do have a taste for happy endings... which Taboo doesn't exactly provide. But it's not a fairy tale-- it's a character study of Japan in the 1800s. An excellent film to watch alone, and to contemplate afterwards.Movie Review: Well filmed and directed
Summary: 4 Stars
Interesting account of homosexuality in a group of samauri. What got me the most was the effect that the gay relationship had on the samauri as a group and as individuals. Also the growing pressure on the young and beautiful swordsman who was so inexperienced sexually. The swordplay was done well and the sets and camera work were excellant. Fine acting all around.