Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl [DVD]

The film summary can be wrought by just about any other review, but I'm going to go into what really turned me on to this movie. First off, the Japanese approach to cinematography, character development and dialogue are exotic and unique to me as I have been constantly plagued by watching crappy domestic films for this past decade. Many people might not like this movie because it doesn't revolve around aspects that they normally see in movies. There isn't alot of sex, but there is alot of sexual tension. There are alot of things that go unsaid that the viewer is dependent to draw his own conclusions. Some of the scenes might run on "too long" but I see those scenes as necessary. The general movie is fast paced, and the long scenes "where nothing cool happens" give a good contrast to the fast pace. It gives the characters and the viewers, time to chew on the situation. Again, many will not enjoy this movie. I loved it. Your loss, my gain.

"Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl" is a visually stunning and complex Japanese film (English subtitles are available under special features) from Director Katsuhito Ishii which traces its origins to the world of Minetaro Mochizuki's manga comics. The film is stylistically beautiful, and the photography is stunning. The story is rather difficult to follow and at times borders on stream-of-consciousness with a healthy dose of fast edits like early music videos were famous for; it is always captivating and Ishii definitely keeps the interest level high.The two principal characters find themselves in an unusual relationship and alliance after Samehada (Tadanobu Asano) steals from the Japanese mob, the ruthless Yakuza. The beautiful Shie Kohinata stars alongside Samehada as Toshiko Momojiri, a complex girl with a deceptively innocent appearance. Toshiko saves Samehada's life by crashing her car into a car full of completely dysfunctional Yakuza assassins who want to kill Samehada for stealing money from them ("It's only 150 million yen!") The thing that makes this film a success for me is the surreal characterizations given the characters and the incredible skill the actors use to make the characters believable yet beyond the fringe. It's difficult to imagine the Yakuza as a bunch of bumblers, but they are so otherworldly that they become almost sympathetic characters, and supply an amazing amount of comic relief. The dialogue matches the bizarre antics of the peculiar characters and never ceases to be amusing, even when it's hard to grasp what's going on (which is the rule, not the exception.) I was particularly taken by the worlds strangest dinner conversation, and the discussions that seemingly come from nowhere and run amok from there.My favorite character in the film was the inept Yamada (Tatsuya Gashûin,) and I absolutely loved the scenes set in completely unexpected contexts, most especially the abortive public toilet assassination complete with a unique a cappella musical interlude. I also took great delight in the extreme makeover scene courtesy of Japan's most colorful chair collector. The film comes to a close after a very unusual and unexpected battle in the creepy hotel where much of the film is set, and I will not divulge the ending other than to say it was dramatic, unanticipated, confusing, and perfect.The film is funny but also graphic, and is as enigmatic as the day is long. It can be difficult to follow but is ultimately rewarding and entertaining.

If you enjoy extremely leftfield Japanese flicks, then this movie is for you. Great performance all round with a Lynch-esque storyline. In the words of Yamada; "Hait! Donna, Donna!"

Disappointed.That is totally the director's fault. I feel so sorry for the actors, particularly Asano to be in this kind of so-so movie.Only hope in the movie was the nerd looking killer caled Yamada-kun.Yamada-kun!!

A robbery of a rural post office is witnessed by a young girl. Two years later, she becomes an unwilling accessory to a man who has taken millions of yen from the yakuza in which he worked. A motley group of gangsters track both down. This is the simplest I can make the narrative without giving too much away.The acting is quite good by the large cast. My wife and I both enjoyed the craziness of the several overlapping narratives (I will not divulge them). There is always a sense of humor shown by the filmmakers and actors, all of which seem to have enjoyed making this movie.It may not be the most original story line ever, but the characters make it move at a good pace. It did not feel like a 2-hour movie. It is quite violent, with blood spattering and a rape. Not for children, obviously. The ending rounds out the narrative, but I wasn't entirely satisfied with it (there had to be an epilogue to answer one part of the narrative that confused us during the movie).4 of 5 Amazon stars. Not a bad movie, by far. Need to have a sense of humor and enjoy dark comedy.

Really? This film comes at you with a raging pace, with people standing still, and the camera not moving. It's all style (or at least tries to be) and almost no substance. You have absolutely no reason to care for the characters or for two leads to even to be together. I find myself wondering where is any of the motivation, at all? It's just random "cool idea for a mob guy" characters slammed together, and a guy and a girl equally slammed together in a story that ultimately does nothing and means nothing. How many times did I just want a static scene of a man sitting there to end up with the guy putting a bullet in his head so we can just get on with the rest of the film.All the characters seemed oddly disconnected from each other, which ultimately created a disconnect between myself and the film. One word... tedious.

Too many directors, in my opinion, have been unjustifiably compared to Tarantino over the years but Katsuhito Ishii definately has his own unique style of bizarre characters loaded with humourous dialogue displaying acts of cartoon-esque violence. He merged Manga drawings with live action long before Kill Bill was even written and fully deserves his cult iconic status as a director worth his weight in gold. His other feature lengths include Party 7, Taste Of Tea and Funky Forest all starring Tadanobu Asano if your interested in finding out more.Toshiko, the Peach Hip Girl, lives and works in a hotel with her paedophilic uncle and on her birthday she meticulously plans an escape from her oppressive life. Embarking upon her new freedom she inadvertently saves Samehada, the Shark Skin Man, by crashing into the crime boss' car that's chasing him through the wilderness and country roads. Samehada (Tadanobu Asano) has stolen one hundred million Yen of syndicate funds and later he acquires an uber cool '81 Corvette Stingray enabling the newly formed partners in crime to commence with their purr-fect getaway. The fugitive lovers are unaware that Toshiko's uncle has hired Yamada the crazy, yet hilarious, hit-man to kill Samehada and return his niece so he can force her into an incestuous marriage. A comically violent game of cat and mouse ensues with double dealings amongst the Yakuza gang and new alliances being formed with unlikely lust triangles on the cards in this unusual but very enjoyable heist flick.