Review of Vengeance Is Mine (1979) by X. T — 12 Jul 2007

Iwao Enokizu is a con artist, a seducer of women, and a murderer, . What drives him to commit these crimes? Vengeance is Mine is an objective look at the inner workings of serial killer who is both charming and ruthless.

Ken Ogata, who plays the charismatic Iwao, portrays the killer as a complex individual whose reasons for murder is left unexplained. The other characters are also very real and interesting. Imamura takes great interest in rot and decay of the contemporary Japanese household.

At times this films feels like a documentary, which isn't surprising since it's based on a true story. However, Vengeance is Mine is rarely dull due to the pitch black humor Imamura gives his film.