AUDITION (1999)
Starring Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Jun Kunimura
This Japanese movie is one of the most disturbing films in recent memory. It starts out with the main character, Aoyama, thinking about getting remarried but not knowing where to find a suitable bride. Being a film producer, and with his friend’s assistance, he decides to hold a mock audition for a film, trying to find that one true love.
It just so happens he finds what appears to be a very gentle soft spoken Japanese girl, Yamazaki Asami. Aoyama and Asami soon begin a passionate relationship. They go out to dinner often and spend a lot of time together-even taking a secluded getaway. Everything looks to be on track for a fairytale ending to a perfect love story.
That is until Asami finds out he is a widower and has a son by his first marriage that he seems to forget to tell her about . This is where the shit hits the fan. The last 30 or so minutes of this film are truly disturbing even for hardcore horror fans such as myself. What starts out as a love story turns into a completely different movie in a matter of minutes. We start learning a little from Aoyoma’s dark past, and her insecurities about not being the only one in Aoyama's life. We also find out exactly what happened to one of her former lovers, and how sometimes people aren't exactly who they seem. And lastly a brutal and uncompromising ending for Aoyama and Asami, which I won’t ruin for you, but you might just take a second look at your wife or girlfriend before going to bed that night.
Highly recommended flick not for the squeamish at heart.
-- Reviewed by Shane Cunningham