Review of Audition (2000) by Hiatt N — 03 Sep 2012

I think controversial films, bar none, are the greatest arguments for the continued value of cinema.

Consider 'Audition'. The film begins as a warm, powerfully executed romantic drama, full of genuine character bonding and more than a little humour. The idea of two men 'auditioning' women was a little troubling, and I was initially slightly angry, finding the film to be somewhat misogynistic. Still, it was a good romance, or so I thought.

Until, about forty minutes into the film, there is an extremely troubling jump scare that put me on edge. I began thinking 'you know, the cover DID look like a horror movie ... ' Yes. Yes, it did.

I won't give away much more, except that the end of the film is a horrific hallucination followed by the one of the most disturbing torture sequences ever put to film, topped off with a bit of the old irony.

But I've gone off the point: controversial films. Films like 'Audition', 'The Birth of a Nation', or 'Salo', prove the effects cinema can have on people. I cite both The Birth of a Nation and Salo as some of the greatest films ever made, and many disagree. Audition is NOT one of the greatest films ever made, but the controversy generated by its extremely troubling imagery proves that a film still has the power to be reviled by some people and valued as art by others, and if a film has inspired emotion this strong, it has some value.

Even if, like 'Audition', it's about twenty minutes too long.